Honorary guests to Celebrate America, noted by distinguished public servants and elected officials

Media Advisory

BLOOMINGTON, Ill./EWORLDWIRE/July 3, 2010 --- No one - least of all the American veterans who have welcomed the team of 18 riders along their coast-to-coast cycling journey, can remain unmoved by the demonstration of pure will and continued personal sacrifice of the Sea to Shining Sea (S2SS) Bike Riders (http://s2ssbikeride.org/) who roll through any one of dozens of points along their cross-country route to arrive Sunday at the Illinois state American Legion headquarters.

"These individuals roll not for fame or fortune but for the need to show others who've put their lives and limbs at risk and lost that there is a road to be traveled to recovery," stated Commander William Flanagan, American Legion Department of Illinois. "Every one of them is drawn to the ride as a means to put their bodies where their hearts are - into taking action in selfless honorable ways."

Although no one struggles to find a way to recognize Independence Day locally, crowds from across the state of Illinois are drawn annually to Bloomington to join military families with outdoor festivities. This year, the visual presented by the S2SS team on its inaugural ride who arrive on July 4 at the Legion’s state headquarters will be especially memorable for faithful spectators as it falls on a Sunday.

Beginning with the arrival of the S2SS cyclists on Friday in Canton, the national salute wraps a full weekend of stops rounded out at Sunday's cookout at the Illinois State American Legion headquarters. Making their way through to the Bloomington stop, in addition to police escort, the fire department will turn out its firetrucks – a pair hoisting a 50-foot American flag.

The heroic troupers will be greeted, hosted and joined by veterans of foreign wars (VFW) representatives, Patriot Guard Riders, Marine Leatherneck Riders, Legion Riders and Guardians of the Children Riders. Mayor Stockton and Mayor Koos, and Great Lakes Zone VPA Todd Hoyt of State Farm, which sponsors the ride, will be on hand.

Illinois Director of Veterans' Affairs Dan Grant will present proclamations to the group.

Post-presentation, travelers will attend a "Celebrate America" event at Miller Park, where they will be guests of honor at the Pavilion for a fireworks display.

"We can celebrate our feelings of faith in country and its patriots in many ways on many days, and having these venerable representatives of our nation's military among us on the fourth of July is personally impactful – a time I and those who join me will remember always," stated Flanagan.

On Monday, a day of rest will include a visit with Grant. Tuesday morning, the assembly will continue on their journey to Champaign. The Sea to Shining Sea riders will reach the final Virginia Beach destination on July 24.

JULY 4 (Sunday) SCHEDULE: PEKIN - BLOOMINGTON

8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Pekin VFW breakfast
Travel through Elm Grove Township and Tremont

10:00 a.m. Mackinaw Water Stop
Travel through Lily

11:00 a.m. Danvers @ Village Park Lunch Stop (Restrooms, picnic tables and covered shelter)
Yuton Road to Heartland Community College (Patriot Guard Riders, Marine Leatherneck Riders, Legion Riders and Guardians of the Children Riders join the ride)

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Heartland Community College Arrival and Staging
Main Street to downtown Bloomington (50-foot American Flag hoisted by two fire trucks along route, State Farm tent handing out giveaways)

1:45 p.m. McLean County Historical Museum Arrival (Downtown Bloomington)

1:50 p.m. Youth riders join ride around Court House Square

2:00 p.m. National anthem (State Rep. Dan Brady to present proclamation to riders - House Resolution 1351)

2:05 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. Mayor Stockton and Mayor Koos provide welcome

2:20 p.m. Great Lakes Zone VPA Todd Hoyt to give welcome on behalf of State Farm

5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Illinois State American Legion Headquarters Cookout (Illinois Director of Veterans Affairs Dan Grant presents proclamations/certificates to riders)

6:30 p.m. Miller Park "Celebrate America" event (Riders and dignitaries seated front row)

8:30 p.m. - 9:45 p.m. Miller Park Pavilion (Riders are guests of honor for fireworks)

MEDIA: To receive a detailed schedule, and to arrange for seating, interviews and photos, contact Mark Sides, Illinois American Legion Public Relations Chairman, at Mark@MarkSides.com.

About The American Legion Department of Illinois (http://www.illegion.org)

The American Legion is a community-service organization which now numbers over 156,000 members in Illinois, in over 800 local Posts.

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CONTACT:
Mark Sides
American Legion
Department of Illinois
Headquarters PO Box 2910
Bloomington, IL 61701
PHONE. 309-721-3886

SOURCE: Department of Illinois