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 The event began on
Saturday morning in Countryside, a community just outside Chicago. A
large group of motorcycles, escorted by a special motorcycle police
escort made its way from Countryside to Springfield making several
stops along the way.
With the 2017 opening of the Mill on Route 66 Museum, the local
Route 66 attraction was added to the stops this year.
In
addition, in the downtown area the 1926-1930 original version of
Route 66 was marked this year, and the motorcycles chose to take
that original route.
Following closely behind the police escort, Governor Rauner was at
the front of the brigade as it traveled into Lincoln via North
Kickapoo Street. The group progressed through town, taking the turn
onto Broadway. As they journeyed to the Mill, the group differed
from the route slightly, coming into the Mill from the east via
First Street.
The motorcycles were assisted through the county by the Logan County
Sheriff’s Department and in the city as well by the Lincoln Police
Department.
The stops for the day included a visit to the Ambler’s Texaco
Station in Dwight, the American Legion War Memorial in Lexington, a fuel stop in
McLean, The Mill in Lincoln, then on to the Mother Road Festival in Springfield
with the day ending at the Illinois State Fairground for a cookout for all the
riders with the governor.
In addition to an enjoyable day, the ride was a fundraiser and an effort to
recognize veterans across the state. Along the route, Rauner acknowledged local
veterans at each stop.
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“This year’s Governor’s Ride was another great opportunity to honor and support
our veterans, and the funds raised will help send them on honor flights to our
war memorials,” Gov. Rauner said. “I want to thank everyone who participated and
donated to this terrific event, and the local and state police for escorting our
riders safely.”
"This is the third annual Honor and Pride ride to recognize our veterans and
first responders here in Illinois," said Tim Grzenia of the Canaryville Veteran
Rider's Association. "Each year we pick three different towns and personally
greet and thank those who've served and are serving our great nation and towns
across our state. We ask that the riders donate to the ride so we can support
Honor Flight of Illinois and needy vets."
In Lincoln, Rauner was greeted by board members and volunteers of the Route 66
Heritage Foundation, the organization that operates and maintains the Mill. They
were treated to ice cold water courtesy of the Logan County Tourism Bureau and
Culligan Water in Lincoln; enjoyed seeing the sights at the museum, and several
did a little souvenir shopping while there.
Rauner greeted those who had come out for the event, and posed for pictures with
many. He visited inside the Mill, commenting that he really liked the place and
was happy to get to come back.
The group was running about one hour behind schedule, so their stay in Lincoln
was perhaps not as long as they would have liked. Arriving around 3 p.m., by
3:30 p.m. the riders were mounted and the motorcycles were ready to hit the road
again. The group would follow Route 66 the rest of the way, also passing
through, though not stopping, at other Logan County communities.
[Nila Smith with text added from the
office of the Governor and photos added by Curtis Fox]
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