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Motorcycle ride set to pay off vets memorial
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - May 25, 2011)
Motorcycle ride set to pay off vets memorial
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Officials are pinning their hopes on a 60-mile motorcycle ride June 26 to close the gap on the remaining dollars owed on Geauga County's 2-year-old veterans memorial.
Riders are being asked to donate their money and time for a 60-mile ride through Geauga County's countryside to pay off the remaining $7,000 on the Geauga County Veterans Memorial.
"Our club doesn't think it is appropriate for veterans who we are trying to honor to have to foot that bill," said Geauga County Commissioner Tracy Jemison, who also serves as treasurer for the Burton-Middlefield Rotary. "We have committed to pay off the balance owed on the memorial that honors their service to our country."
Rotary has been a supporter of the project since it was just a dream 10 years ago, Mr. Jemison said. So far, he said, Rotary has provided $67,000 toward the project's estimated worth of $500,000.
The memorial lists the names of 13,397 Geauga veterans on six, 10- to 11-ton stone monoliths surrounding a monument on Ravenwood Drive on the border of Munson and Claridon townships.
Veterans that supported the project signed a note for a $35,000 loan to help get the project off the ground, Mr. Jemison said. Now, officials are hoping the motorcycle ride will take care of the remaining $7,000 owed.
Last week, some of those who spearheaded the project met at the memorial to announce details of the ride that will start at Harrington Plaza on Kinsman Road (Route 87) in Middlefield.
Mr. Jemison, Neil Hofstetter, who served as vice president of the veterans memorial committee, attorney Paul Newman, committee president, and Geauga County Sheriff Daniel McClelland gathered at the memorial to ask for the public's help.
"Leaving this project incomplete is unacceptable," Mr. McClelland said.
Mr. McClelland and his dog, Midge, will join riders for the uninterrupted tour and sheriff deputies will serve as escorts for riders to ensure that intersections are closed to keep riders together.
Although a trip past the memorial is planned, Mr. McClelland said, much of the route will be kept secret until the day of the ride. It will conclude around noon at Hambden Township Park on GAR Highway (Route 6), just east of Old State Road (Route 608).
He said registration will begin at 8 a.m. June 26 and the ride will begin at 10 a.m. Registration is $25 per rider and includes lunch. Those who pre-register will receive a gift.
Mr. McClelland said donations on top of the $25 are welcome as are any donations members of the public wish to make.
He said the public is also welcome to be at the memorial around 10:30 a.m. when riders are expected to pass by. That day a huge flag will be held up by two of the area's fire department ladder trucks.
"This is not only to raise funds, but to also pay tribute to our veterans," Mr. McClelland said.
Mr. Jemison said Rotary has held motorcycle rides in the past to raise funds for the memorial. Those past rides have drawn between 125 and 150 riders. He said he hoped this cause would draw even more.
Mr. Hofstetter, a veteran of the Korean War, said the memorial attempted to include as many of those who served their country as possible. "It recognizes all veterans, not just those who served in a war," he said.
Those listed were required to have lived in the county for five years. It contains the names of those who have served from the Revolutionary War through the present.
Mr. Newman said while the project is valued at $500,000, at least $100,000 of the value consisted of volunteers who performed such tasks as laying bricks and planting flowers.
He said some work remains to be done, such as adding medallions to benches surrounding the memorial.
In addition to raising money for the memorial, the Burton-Middlefield Rotary has also held programs to aid veterans in need. Mr. Jemison said the group has provided $50 grocery gift cards to veterans the past two years.
Those wishing to sponsor the event may contact Mr. Jemison at 440-476-8486.
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