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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016
South Dakota cowboy rides 1500 miles with an awareness purpose By Larry Nelson CORRESPONDENT
A South Dakota cowboy , riding a horse and with another in tow, is on a 1,500 mile mission from Fort Pierre to Washington, D.C. with the sole purpose of thanking military veterans for their service and sacrifice. Tony Jones passed through northern Illinois last week after having spent several days in Darlington, WI. Jones stayed at the Jo Daviess County fairgrounds one night where he said “The people there made me and my horses feel really welcome.” He made his way down Stagecoach Trail riding a sorrel, Charlie, and leading his bay, Semper Fi. He was scheduled to stay overnight Thursday in Pearl City. He and his partner, Orville White Eyes, left central South Dakota June 5. White Eyes soon turned back, but Jones is determined to end up in Washington around Sept. 11. Jones has teamed with the Semper Fi fund to raise money for veterans
along the way. Semper Fi provides immediate assistance and financial aid to post 9/11 wounded, critically ill and injured members of all branches of the service. “Since I left South Dakota in June, nearly 1,200 veterans have committed suicide. I want to make people aware of the sacrifices our vets have made,” Jones said. He is not a military veteran. Jones, 54, doesn’t seem to mind the long days of horseback riding. “I’ve been riding horses all my life, but at the end of the daily ride, it feels good to stretch a bit.” He said people along the way have been generous with food and lodging for him and his horses. Following a torrential rain Thursday, he found a drainage ditch south of Lena with plenty of water for his horses. Although he is not certain how his journey will end, he would like to auction his horses on the White House lawn.”Whatever happens, I will sell them and give the money to the Semper Fi fund,” Jones said.
LARRY NELSON PHOTO Shopper’s Guide
Tony Jones rode through the area last week on a mission to bring awareness to the problems of some post 9/11 veterans. He plans to arrive in Washington, D.C. around Sept. 11. He left Fort Pierre, South Dakota, June 5.
Second Annual Lena Shakedown teams with Heart of Marine Foundation EDITOR
Lena Area Special Event Runners (L.A.S.E.R) an “Illinois Not-forProfit Organization” will host their Second Annual Lena Shakedown on Saturday, Aug. 6, , from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. at The Rafter’s Restaurant - Outdoor Entertainment Complex, 9426 W. Wagner Road, Lena. “This year it’s kind of a little twist from what we did last year,” said Shakedown organizer Ross Vehmeier. “This year, Shakedown is teaming with “The Heart of A Marine Foundation” for a Mega Event. The Heart of a Marine Foundation does some pretty cool stuff. We did an event with them last year at Lena Brewing called Beer for the Brave. This year we decided to take the Shakedown and merge it with Beer for the Brave and keep the best of both festivals, so we’ll have three great bands, we have a wonderful memorial ride which will be stopping at eight bars along the route.” The Heart Of A Marine Founda-
tion is a non-profit organization that provides comfort, support, financial assistance, and educational resources to improve the quality of life of military personnel in all branches of the United States Armed Forces, including veterans, and their families. This year Shakedown powered by L.A.S.E.R will feature a memorial ride-car cruise and several Midwestern Bands with varying musical styles along with great food and family fun. “We’ve got food. We’ve got beer. We’ve got games going on throughout the day and we’ve got a heck of a headliner that night which is Wayland,” said Vehmeier. “They are a national band doing the show for us because of the cause. They are big veteran’s supporters. So it’s a little different twist on what we did last year. It should be a fun day and night.” He said check-in for the Memorial Ride will be at the Lena Brewing Company (LBC) beginning at 10 a.m. with the last entry leaving
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By Tony Carton
The Lena Brewing Company by 11:30 a.m. The ride will encompass at least four other establishments returning to Lena Brewing Company by 5 p.m. Sharp! Although the stops are still being finalized, it is assured that prizes will be awarded at each stop. To participate in the Memorial Ride for Heart of the Marine, one can ride their motorcycle or trike, or cruise their vintage automobile, convertible or passenger car/truck. Cost of the ride is $30 per person or $50 per couple. The Food Tent will showcase many area Regional Food Vendors featuring their fine products. Families are encouraged to stop by and try a taste of their wonderful samplings from 12 p.m. noon to 10 p.m. Fantastic Live Music can be heard
from 1:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. The Southern Ride Band, who just recently helped make the Taste of Lena a huge success, will be delivering Southern Country Rock. “The American Hitmen Band” is a hard rocking group of Marine Corps combat veterans, who met in 2004 during Operation Phantom Fury in Fallujah, Iraq. They were the first rock band in 36 years to perform in communist Vietnam, when a Hard Rock Cafe opened in 2009. In 2013, this band made it through three elimination rounds and performed live in New York City, at the legendary Radio City Music Hall, on America’s Got Talent! “Wayland” is a four piece rock n’ roll band consisting of Mitch Ar-
nold on vocals, Phillip Vilenski on guitar, Dean Pizzazz on bass, and Tyler Coburn on drums. All four members have deep roots in the Midwest, and the band is named after Phillip Vilenski’s hometown of Wayland, MI. It’s cool for the area,” Vehmeier said. “It’s cool for Lena and it’s certainly for a great cause.” For More Information Visit Shakedown on Facebook @ lenaspecialeventrunners. For more information on how to participate or for sponsorship opportunities please contact Ross Vehmeier at Ross@lenabrewing. com or (815) 369-5330. Media/Public Relations contact: Susan Schafer, (815) 990-8732 or skscham@aol.com .
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