Memorial Day motorcycle ride across five counties

On the 26th of May 2002 at 10:00 a.m. at least 160 Motorcycles gathered at the Sevier County Courthouse for the second annual Memorial Ride Ceremony. The purpose for the ceremony was to pay tribute to those who fought for our freedom in the past and to those fighting today to preserve it. Opening ceremonies at the courthouse began with “Pledge of Allegiance” followed by “America the Beautiful” and “God Bless the U.S.A.” sung by Marc Wiles and Kelly Stout. Guest speaker for this year’s event is Commander R. B. “Pete” Hailey, 81 year-old USNR Ret. Hailey is a Veteran of World War II and the Korean War. “He gave a very emotional and enlightening speech”, stated Sharma Floyd, a passengers on a Harley Davidson motorcycle. A wreath was placed at the Veteran’s Memorial in front of the courthouse. A hat was passed for the honor guard – Tennessee Volunteer Honor Guard. The Honor Guard operates strictly by donations. “I’m not a vet, but both my brothers were and so was my father – I lost one of my brothers to Agent Orange in Viet Nam and how proud he was to say he was a vet – This is just one of the ways I could be a part of it”, stated Art Schettini, one of the organizers and member of the Shilo Riders Club. The ride left at exactly 11:00 A.M. and covered 60 miles through five counties. The riders arrived on top of Clinch Mountain Veteran’s Overlook at approximately 12:30 P.M. Committee members addressed the crowd followed by a laying of a wreath on the monument with a 21-gun salute and the playing of “Taps”. A number of the riders started the ride off with breakfast at “Virgil’s 50’s Café” which opened up at 8:00 a.m. across the street from the courthouse. The riders were escorted by the Sevierville City Police who handed them off to the Sevier County Sheriffs department followed by the Cocke County Sheriffs department. The following offices were also part of the escort through the various city and county’s, Jefferson County Sheriffs department, Grainger County Sheriffs department and the Morristown Police Department. Last year about 75 motorcycles participated. This year there were at least 160 bikes. It was about 50/50 for riders and drivers. About half the bikes carried a passenger. The weather was perfect for the event. “There was a lot of emotion. It made you feel very proud to be an American”, state Floyd. Following the Clinch Mountain Veteran’s Overlook ceremony, the ride continued on to Colboch’s Harley Davidson in Morristown, where Kenneth “Smokey” Colboch, the owner, made arrangements to open the usually closed on Sundays business for the special event. The riders enjoyed hot dogs, hamburgers and entertainment and all went their separate ways until next year. The event was put on by “Shiloh Riders of the Smoky Mountain”. If you have any question regarding this year’s ride or the one coming up next year, please contact Ron Giddis at 865-453-6532.