The 12th annual Thunder on the Missouri ride to Siouxland Freedom Park couldn’t have been much better.
Perfect early-summer conditions and a southerly breeze that made Old Glory stand straight out above its perch at the South Sioux City park greeted the crowd that gathered for the annual ride and ceremony.
Organizer Marty Hogan said that 166 bikes, 21 Jeeps and 18 classic cars took off from Sergeant Bluff and made their way across the Missouri River bridge on National Medal of Honor Highway (Highway 20), riding into town and making their way to Siouxland Freedom Park. From there they rolled in, one by one, around 2:40 p.m. The convoy circled around the park and returned to the east entrance for the traditional “thunder” revving of the motorcycles that preceded the ceremony in front of the Vietnam War memorial wall.
A reporter-estimated crowd of 500 people gathered for the program, which included Dane Louis singing the National Anthem and an emotional speech by Gold Star Mother Elaine Leusink, a member of the Midwest Honor Flight board of directors. Her son, Marine Lance Corporal William "B. Jay" Leusink, died May 22, 2006, from injuries sustained by a roadside bomb in Iraq.
Look for a special Memorial Day section honoring our heroes coming in this week’s Dakota County Star.
