American Veterans Traveling Tribute
| American Veterans Traveling Tribute |
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| April 29th, 2010 |
Ennis - American Veterans Traveling Tribute (Memorial Veterans Wall) Caravan arrives at Sokol Hall approx 4:30 PM. Hundreds of American Legion and Patriot Guard Ridersserving as Honor Guards meet additional area Riders at Sokol. American Veterans Tribute Motorcycle, leads Wall procession through downtown Ennis starting at 5:15 PM going to Wall assembly site: 2301 Ennis Parkway (the old Intermediate School location.) The public is invited to welcome the honor Caravan through Ennis!
Thursday - Sunday May 6,- 9
American Veterans Traveling Tribute (Wall Site)
2301 Ennis Parkway - (Behind Don Jose's Restaurant) Thursday, begins the 4 days of memorial ceremonies and programs at the Wall site highlighted by large Patriotic Parade Saturday at 10 a.m. Thursday's Opening Starts at 2:00 p.m. Each day numerous programs and ceremonies. Sunday - an all denomination Worship Service starting 1:00 p.m. Closing Ceremony at 7 p.m. ends with Ride of Honor featuring Patriot Guard and area riders.
Saturday May 8
Ennis' first Patriotic Parade - Welcome Home - Ennis Honors Her Heroes 10:00 a.m, in Downtown Ennis - To honor the heroes who fought and died in all wars and conflicts for our freedom. Over 50 parade entries. Come join the fun! The parade will be followed by ceremonies and programs all day at the Wall site.
Traveling Wall to visit Ennis May 5
By CAROL GREY HONZA Special to the Daily Light
Published: Friday, April 30, 2010 2:31 PM CDT
ENNIS – The local planning committee to bring the Vietnam Wall and American Veterans Traveling Tribute to Ennis met April 20, with a presentation about how more than 100 American Legion and Patriot Guard Riders will participate in the event.
The unit will include representatives from as far as Colorado and New Mexico, spokesman Bob Roberts said, saying, “We will have the honor of providing an escort for the Vietnam Wall and American Veterans Traveling Tribute on its journey from the American Legion Post 12 in Tyler, Texas, to Ennis on May 5, 2010. Other area riders will also join the caravan at the Sokol Center approximately two miles east of Ennis on (State) Highway 34 for the final staging area before entering Ennis at approximately 4:30 p.m.
“Kick stands will go up at 5 p.m. to be in downtown Ennis at approximately 5:15 p.m.,” he said. “The wall caravan will have various law enforcement and police escorts during the trip from Tyler to and through Ennis, to its assembly site located at 2301 Ennis Parkway.”
Leading the way for the Wall and Displays of Honor from the Sokol Hall in Ennis will be the Veteran’s Tribute Motorcycle, with rider Gary Towers of Granbury, Texas. The motorcycle, which is known as “Joe” after G.I. Joe, represents Vietnam veteran Tower’s long time dream to build a bike in tribute to American veterans.
Towers purchased the FLHTPI Ultra-Glide Police Special in 2004. The award-winning motorcycle’s many details represent every war and conflict where American military personnel have been involved.
“It truly becomes an emotional experience to those who know exactly what ‘Joe’ represents,” Roberts said. “Many people attend chopper and bike shows, but they will not receive the honor that ‘Joe’ can bring to each of them – a sharing of the heart and soul of our veterans past and present – to see their legacy pass on through the murals. … This is a true gift of patriotism from Gary and Brenda Towers.” The Veterans Tribute Motorcycle will be in Ennis the week of the Veterans Traveling Tribute, May 5-8 and will be located for viewing either at the Wall site on Ennis Parkway or at the American Legion Post 361 on Rumbo Road in Ennis.
‘Joe’ to lead honor guard riders in veterans celebration
Carol Grey Honza, Special to the EDN
04-30-2010
A group of more than 100 American Legion and Patriot Guard riders will escort the Vietnam Wall and American Veterans Traveling Tribute from Tyler to Ennis on Wednesday, and a special guest will lead the procession once it reaches Sokol Hall.
The Veteran’s Tribute Motorcycle, with rider Gary Towers of Granbury, will join the procession at that point, as will a number of other area riders who are scheduled to meet up with the caravan at Sokol.
The Veteran’s Tribute Motorcycle, named Joe, was borne from an idea for a cycle that has been a long time dream of Towers, who is a Vietnam veteran. He says his dream became an obsession of the heart — to build a bike in tribute to American veterans.
American Veterans Traveling Tribute coming to Ennis
Community Participation Escalates
Carol Grey Honza
ENNIS – Spirited meetings continue regarding the American Veterans Traveling Tribute, oming to Ennis in May.
Members of the Welcome Home...Ennis Honors Her Heroes Committee, numerous community leaders, and area participants met Tuesday evening, March 2, at the VFW Post 7106 in Ennis.
Discussions involved ongoing plans for events leading up to the week-long celebration scheduled for May 5-9 in Ennis.
Due to the absence of the co-chairmen, Dan Cook, and Marylyn Wylie — Buddy Markham chaired the meeting, covering a number of items on the agenda, including budgetary projections for the event, and the progression of sub-committee assignments.
"We are looking to have many entries in our Patriotic Parade on Saturday, May 8," said Paula Tucker, parade chairman.
"We are already receiving entries."
"Parade applications may be picked up at the Chamber of Commerce, the Ennis Daily News, Waxahachie Daily Light, The Ellis County Press, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Ennis Public Library, or you may phone: Paula Tucker, parade chairman, 972-875-2717."
There will be vintage cars, classic cars, motor cycles, floats, etc., hopefully, bands, and all must be decorated in a Patriotic theme or colors. At this point, we do not have a true picture of the make-up of the parade – but hopefully, we will have a better scope by mid April," said Tucker.
Carol Honza, public relations chairman reported, "Poster and Essay contests and guidelines for school age students have been sent to Ellis County schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, and extra copies are available at Waxahachie Daily Light, Ennis Daily News, The Ellis County Press, Ennis Public Library, Ennis Boys & Girls Club, the Ennis Chamber of Commerce and Ennis Convention and Visitors Bureau."
"You may also phone 972-878-5510 for additional copies of Contests and Guidelines," she said.
"We have had an army of people ready and willing to assist in our event in so many ways," said Markham.
"Of primary importance was the generous donation of the use of an unused portion school property which was donated by EISD school administration for a one-time use during the week of the event, to be used as the site on which to house the main event. "This is where the Wall will be erected, and the ceremonial tent, and main events will be held. This property selection initially, had a great deal to do with the Veterans Traveling Wall event coming to Ennis at all — so it is with a great amount of appreciation that we acknowledge the donation of the use of this property by EISD officials. "In addition, numerous school professionals are also donating their time and talents [after school hours] volunteering in the efforts toward the event," explained Markham..
"Military personnel from various branches of services have come forward to offer ground and air assistance.
"Churches have reached out to offer pastoral coverage with event services, benediction ceremonies, etc. Vietnam veterans are especially interested in the event as the Traveling Wall contains 58,000 names of those lost in the Vietnam War.
"Other American Veteran losses are also specifically honored at the event in various memorials, so we expect many other people will want to see these memorials as well," added Markham. .
"City of Ennis departments and staff, police and fire fighters, along with ambulance personnel have stepped up to offer help in numerous areas.
"The American Legion Riders, Patriot Guard and area bikers will be highly visible in Ennis during the week of the event – offering escort and patrol assistance as well," added Markham.
Meeting attendee Police Chief John Erisman noted, "Our department is ready to meet the challenges of this type of event head-on.
"It is similar to other events which occur in Ennis, where parades are involved."
"We have a ready-plan and protocol to cover such events, and we will be meeting with your Committee on a regular basis to follow each stage in its planning, and schedule our departmental plans accordingly."
"Business leaders, retirees; scout troops, and the general public from many areas of Ellis County and the Metroplex want to help," continued Markham."
"And many people are attending our fundraisers – like our recent chili supper at Baylor Baptist Church on Feb. 20,, sponsored by the VFW, which brought a good crowd that enjoyed some very good Chili fixins. "With gratitude, the proceeds were all donated by the VFW to our upcoming Veterans’ event," he added. "Mike Riley, our resident King-of-Ennis-Fish-Fry’s is cooking up a second fundraiser —a fish-fry, is scheduled March 20 at the First United Methodist Church in Ennis. "We hope everyone will come, because it is so heartwarming to know our Veterans are honored through such great opportunities for community participation," concluded Markham.
Organizational meetings of the Welcome Home – Ennis Honors Her Heroes Committee of the American Veterans Traveling Tribute will continue biweekly up until the event. Approximately 30 members and guests attended the meeting on Tuesday, March 2.
Meetings are open to anyone who may be interested in participating in the plans for the memorial event. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 16 tat 6:30 p.m. at the VFW Hall in Ennis.