Beckley, WV (WOAY) – About fifteen bikes pulled up to the Raleigh County Veterans and First Responders Museum in Beckley Thursday morning, the first stop on the southern leg of a statewide ride organized by the West Virginia American Legion Riders.
The group rides annually to raise money for the Honor Flight program, which flies veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit war memorials. Dana Spade, assistant chairman of the WV American Legion Riders, said the ride changes routes each year to spread awareness.
“Every year we run a charity run around the state. We go to different locations, different routes each year, and we bring awareness of our organization, the American Legion, and also to for this year particularly, we’re going to raise money for the northern central West Virginia honor flight. And what that does, that takes veterans to Washington, D.C. to see the monuments, to maybe see a friend that they were in the service with on the wall,” Spade said.
The riders also escort veterans on the flights themselves. Director Chantel Ricketts said accompanying Vietnam veterans carries special meaning.
“We’re very blessed because our West Virginia Legion actually does the escorts for these with our motorcycles … to have the stories told to us and listen and be one with them and kind of relive all the memories with them. And most importantly is with our Vietnam veterans. They get a welcome home at the end. And so for them to finally know that their service means so much to us is something that there’s no words that can really explain,” Ricketts said.
The museum has been at its current Beckley location for about two years, and this was the first visit from the WV American Legion. Museum President Ron Hedrick said the visit was a natural fit, noting that American Legion Post 32 already calls the building home.
“We have so many veterans on our staff anyway and of course the American Legion Post 32 is this is their home, they meet here. So for them to be an American Legion motorcycle group to come here and make this their first stop for the day, we were honored,” Hedrick said.
Organizers expect between 50 and 75 bikes on Saturday’s ride. To donate to the Honor Flight program, visit the Northern and Central West Virginia Honor Flight Facebook page or contact any local American Legion post.
