Motorcycle engines roared and rumbled driving out of the Elks Lodge 513 in Jefferson City and onto Ellis Boulevard, headed on a 95-mile trek across Mid-Missouri.
Bikers, along with Jeep, convertible and classic car riders and more, gathered Saturday morning for the lodge's motor rally, its eighth annual fundraising event for veterans that included a four-stop poker run, auction and barbecue dinner. Of more than 200 participants, 30 were veterans themselves. In addition to raising funds to honor veterans, the event allowed riders to reflect on the lives of fallen soldiers.
The 1951 Chevrolet 3100 half-ton pick up truck that led riders out of the parking lot had a story to tell. It was the focal point for bikers and attendees, who turned their backs to shiny two-wheelers and took pictures on their smartphones. Painted with airbrush, the old-fashioned truck illustrates the story of four young Marines who died while serving in Afghanistan.
Lance Cpl. Phillip Vinnedge was a 19-year-old Marine when a roadside improvised explosive device (IED) detonated and instantly killed him, along with three other soldiers - Lance Cpl. Victor Dew, Lance Cpl. Joseph Rodewald and Cpl. Justin Cain - on Oct. 13, 2010. Vinnedge was 16 days into his first deployment.
Being in the military was a dream of Vinnedge's from an early age, said his mother, Julie Vinnedge, of Eureka. When terrorists hijacked planes and flew them into the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001, Julie said her son, who was 10 then, told her he was going to be a soldier. Five years later, he started training with the Marine Corps, and at 17, he asked his parents to sign early enlistment forms.
Julie said her son was one of 25 Marines who died in the same deployment - the most in one battalion since Sept. 11, 2001. Their lives were lost between October 2010-April 2011, she said, and hundreds of families and young widows have grieved since.
To honor the life of her son, Julie established Fallen Hero's Dream Ride - a not-for-profit organization that supports children whose parents or siblings have died in the line of duty, suicide or other related causes. They're also known as Gold Star children.
"We never dreamed that we would receive that knock on the door, but a lot of opportunities have come from it also," she said. "Being able to do events for Gold Star children and putting a smile on a Gold Star child's face - there's nothing that can replace that. I mean, it is amazing."
Last week, Julie said the organization sponsored a trip to Branson for 25 families with 60 children. The goal, she added, is to let them know they aren't alone in their suffering. She touted the organization's mission Saturday at the Elks Lodge Motor Rally and smiled as people viewed the pickup truck, learning the story of sacrifice for her son and his fellow Marines, who are painted wearing camouflage and helmets on the driver's side. Their headstones are painted on the passenger's side, along with an image of Julie holding a folded American flag.
"Even though people say they'll never forget, unfortunately they do, and we wanted to let our veterans know that we have what we have because of them," she said, referring to the organization. "So, we wanted to say "thank you,' give back and pay respects to our veterans."
Linda Adrian, chairman of the Motor Rally Committee, said the group's goal is to raise at least $10,000 annually at the event. All proceeds go into its veterans fund. In the past, Adrian said Elks members used the money for monthly trips to the Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital in Columbia, quarterly trips for the veterans to the casino in Boonville, sponsorship of the Central Missouri Honor Flight, donations to Fallen Hero's Dream Ride and Common Ground, a Jefferson City organization, which has provided transportation to veterans as well as paid their electric bills.
Brian Trudell, a motor rally organizer, said it's humbling to see Elks Lodge members interact with veterans at the hospital and out in the community.
"This lodge is built for sponsoring veterans," he said. "That's the Elks' main goal: never forget a vet. That's how it started. We are here for the veterans."