March 29, 2024

Classic cars to motorcycles Motorists honor Vietnam vets with memorial escort ride

COLFAX — Smoke creeps out of the exhaust of his Yamaha Venture. The logo of the Legion Riders of Newton American Legion Post 111 rests on the back of his leather vest. The wind blows against his face.

For Jeremy Heaberlin, this is common occurrence in his life. But come Tuesday, the motorcyclist will take a ride that he’ll remember for the rest of his life — and it will be in tribute to the 58,318 who died in the Vietnam War.

“It means the world to me,” Heaberlin, the Legion Riders president, said. “The life experiences of my dad and uncle (who served in the Vietnam War) played a big role in myself and my brother. A lot of people in my generation learned a lot from these men and women. It is going to be an emotional moment for me.”

Heaberlin will be one of the dozens of motorists expected to escort the Vietnam Wall that Heals from the Jasper County Fairgrounds in Colfax to Maytag Park in Newton.

With vehicles from the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office leading the way, rides from classic Corvettes to the timeless Harley-Davidson will travel down a 12-mile route to Newton on Highway 6.

“My uncle Dennis is planning on bringing his GTO. I can’t remember if it is ‘69, ‘70 or ‘71, but he has had that ever since he got out of the service,” the Legion Riders president said. “That one is going to be special to me.”

Heaberlin said while watching the classic vehicles ride down the highway will be a cool spectacle to see, the true sight to behold is the three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial accompanying them on their trek to Newton.

“You are going to have a very solemn group of people — just eyes forward with the utmost respect for what this wall means for so many people,” Heaberlin said. “The understanding of what these men and women did for our freedom that allows us to do what we do every day, (motivates us). It is kind of ominous to understand the sacrifice those men and women went through.”

According to the Legion Rider, there is no registration required for the event. People who wish to participate in the escort will just need to be at the Colfax Sales Barn at 335 N. Walnut St. before 5 p.m. Tuesday. The ride is expected to take about 25 minutes, and there will be a quick photo opportunity with the memorial after the riders successfully escort the exhibit to Newton.

“If there are 50 riders, there are 50 riders. If there are 250, there are 250. We are going to make it work either way,” Heaberlin said. “If I was going to have someone to recommend where to watch (in Newton), I would say anywhere on West Fourth Street. The best spot may also near City Hall.”

Newton Police Department will also help direct traffic during the escort ride.

The Wall That Heals exhibit will be on display near the American Legion building in Newton at 1101 West Fourth St. S. from Wednesday through June 3. The 375-foot-long memorial will be available for viewing 24 hours a day.

For more information about the ride, call 515-724-2724 or find American Legion Newton Post 111 on Facebook.

Contact Anthony Victor Reyes at areyes@newtondailynews.com.