Governor and fellow motorcyclists on fundraiser for veterans make Atlanta Route 66 stopover

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[August 25, 2015]  ATLANTA - Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner and 350 fellow motorcycle riders roared in Atlanta on Saturday afternoon as part of a road trip from Chicago to the Executive Mansion in Springfield. The purpose of the trip was a fundraiser for veterans organized by the Governor’s motorcycle club, The Canaryville Veterans Riders Association. “I hope to make the ride an annual event. Our veterans deserve to know we care about them,” said the Governor.

While the fundraising trip from Chicago to Springfield was organized by the Canaryville group, members of A.B.A.T.E and Rolling Thunder also participated. Rolling Thunder is a motorcycle organization dedicated to veteran’s rights. A.B.A.T.E. is an educational group that spreads the word to the public about safe motorcycle practices. They also raise money for Christmas presents for kids.
 

David and Laura Whiteside of Marengo. David is the treasurer of his chapter of Rolling Thunder, a motorcycle advocacy group for veterans.


Governor Rauner and members of Rolling Thunder, a motorcycle group that advocates for veterans rights.

According to Judy Kaenel of A.B.A.T.E., the funds raised on Saturday will be donated to the Chicagoland and Lincolnland Honor flights.
 


Rauner stated that the ride on Saturday would bring in approximately $10,000 for the Honor Flight program. Each rider contributed $10 for the day, and Rauner personally provided a double-match for each 10 donated.

The ride had begun in the northern part of the state early Saturday morning. The group made stops along the way in several of Illinois smaller communities such as Dwight and Pontiac before arriving in Atlanta.

Escorted by a motorcycle security team, the group of motorcycles filled the main street of Atlanta and snaked around the corner filling up the next block as well.
 

Atlanta resident and director of the Logan County Development Partnership, Bill Thomas (left) welcomed Governor Bruce Rauner and the motorcylists.

When Rauner departed from his bike, he enjoyed a few minutes of speaking with local folks who had turned out to greet him. Included in the list were Bill Thomas, the Executive Director of the Logan County Economic Development Partnership, Randy Brooks of the Atlanta Library Board of Directors, and Dr. David Hepler, Chairman of the Logan County Board.

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Rauner also visited with local business owners, and one local man in particular, Robert Ford, a veteran who served immediately after World War II.

Rauner was also invited to have a seat behind the wheel of a very sharp classic Corvette that had been brought into town. He also spent time taking “selfies” with several who were in attendance from the Atlanta area.

For the bikers traveling with Rauner and the Canaryville Club, the experience held some surprises of its own. One couple spoke about the ride down saying it was quite a treat to have a security escort. They noted that the troopers who were riding in the front of the parade blocked off roads along the way, allowing the bikers perhaps the first time in their lives, a ride without worry of cars pulling out of crossings in front of them.
 

The Governor and the staff of the Palms Grill Café on Route 66 in downtown Atlanta.

During their stop, several of the bikers made their way over to the Atlanta Palms Grill for a quick refreshment. The grill on that day was serving up their version of the hottest, spiciest burger in the country. With a variety of hot sauces, pepper jack cheese, and a super spicy cheddar, Luke, the manager of the grill was hopeful that the governor would take the challenge of eating the super-hot burger in less than 20 minutes. However, the governor’s schedule would not allow for that. He did however, stop in at the Palms, and took a moment for a photo op with the Palms Grill staff.

After departing Atlanta, the group traveled down Old Route 66 to Springfield and the final destination at the Executive Mansion. Governor Rauner was throwing a BBQ Saturday evening for the entire group.

[Curt Fox & Nila Smith]

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