Published: July 02, 2009 08:45 am      

Freedom Riders

‘Some Gave All’ tour hits the road

American flags lined the Madison County Courthouse Wednesday as about 100 people gathered to pay tribute to three fallen central Kentucky soldiers before taking off on the “Some Gave All” motorcycle tour.

The soldiers honored Wednesday were Pfc. Theodore M. “Coty” West of Richmond, Spc. William G. Bowling of Beattyville and Sgt. 1st Class John D. Morton of Stanton.

West was killed Nov. 29, 2006, when a roadside bomb detonated near his vehicle during combat in Baghdad, Iraq. Bowling was one of four soldiers killed April 1, 2007, also by a roadside bomb in Baghdad, and Morton was killed Dec. 15, 2005, when his dismounted patrol was attacked by enemy forces in Shah Wali Kot, Afghanistan.

Richmond Mayor Connie Lawson and Steve Robinson, commander of the National Guard’s 238th Regiment based in Muhlenburg County, were the keynote speakers at Wednesday’s event that included a a musical performance of the “Star-Spangled Banner” and a 21-gun salute.

“This may be the single most important event that we’ll host in the city of Richmond,” said Connie Lawson, Richmond’s mayor. “It really makes me humble and proud to be an American.”

Lawson presented a personal monetary donation to the “Some Gave All” event.

“I’m a big believer in putting my money where my mouth is,” she said.

Another check for $750 was donated by the employees at the Richmond Walmart.

Store manager Todd Maggard said his employees heard about the event, thought it was a great cause and hosted a bake sale in front of the store.

The “Some Gave All” bike rally was organized by Dwight Lewis, a mortgage professional and a National Guard major.

“He (Lewis) designed this motorcycle ride to honor Kentucky’s fallen warriors,” Robinson said. “We want to honor their lives with this rally, so we’re here to say thank you to the families of these fallen warriors. We extend to you our sympathies and our gratitude.”

The motorcycle tour will visit the hometowns of Kentucky soldiers who have died during the war on terror. The rally will visit London, Bowling Green, Hopkinsville, Paducah, Owensboro, Louisville, Newport and Ashland. The final stop will be in Lexington.

The ride will cover nine cities in five days, traveling more than 1,100 miles.

Larry Morgan of Estill County, who served with the Army’s 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War, said he attended the funerals of West, Bowling and Morton.

“Being at their burials meant a lot,” he said.

He said America’s younger generation needs to be aware of all the brave men and women who have fought for their freedom in the past.

“We’re trying to teach them something,” he said. “If we don’t pass it on, they’re not going to know.”

Members of the U.S. Patriot Guard were present Thursday to honor the soldiers. The Patriot Guard provides security at soldiers’ funerals across the nation to protect mourning family members from anti-war protesters.

“They are there as family,” Robinson said. “They show respect for our fallen heroes and their families.”

Mike Sexton and his wife Jane attended Thursday’s event ready to hit the road for London.

A former member of the Army and National Guard, Mike Sexton said the Patriot Guard was all “ ... about respect and honor. That’s what this whole ride is about.”

Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 624-6608.