'Ride for 3095' motorcycle rally honored Vietnam War dead

From Inde Online: 'Ride for 3095' motorcycle rally honors Vietnam War dead
CLINTON —

A dozen Massillon-area motorcyclists added more rumble to today’s inaugural “Ride for the 3095” honoring the 3,095 Ohioans who died in the Vietnam War.

Sam Postlethwait, a Vietnam War veteran and director of the American Legion Riders Post 221, organized the local contingent that made the trek from Days Inn & Suites at 4742 Brecksville Road in Richfield, to the Ohio Veterans’ Memorial Park at 8005 Cleveland-Massillon Road in Clinton.

“I think it’s a great idea, being a Vietnam War veteran myself,” Postlethwait said. “When I came home, we got nothing. Now people are paying respect (to veterans) ... I have a close friend who lost his life over there. Even if I didn’t, I’d still do (ride).”

Organizers expected more than 2,000 motorcycles for the event, including some from as far away as Canada and Italy.

“It’s been nonstop. We have people coming from Pennsylvania and West Virginia,” said Ken Noon, event coordinator. “It’s never been done before. It’s pretty exciting. We have a guy coming from Italy, who is originally from Ohio, whose friend died in the war.”

Each motorcyclist carried a flag printed with the name, rank and branch of service of each of the 3,095 Ohio casualties in Vietnam. The flags also feature the Purple Heart Medal. Riders have the option of sponsoring a flag for $25, Noon said. Cash or checks will be accepted. Many of the flags are being purchased by residents who are unable to ride.

“If they just want to participate, it doesn’t cost anything,” Noon said.

Riders registered at The Days Inn until 10 a.m., with staging from 9 to 11 a.m. The ride departed at noon with a service at 2 p.m. at the Ohio Veterans’ Memorial Park. The park, which was dedicated in May 2009, includes a memorial wall featuring the names of each of the 3,095 Ohioans who were killed in Vietnam. The wall is the largest free standing monument in Ohio, according to Noon. During the memorial service, an AH-1 Cobra helicopter that will be permanently displayed at the park will be unveiled. The cobra served in Vietnam and the New Jersey National Guard, according to Noon.

“It had been on display in Zanesville but now we have it permanently,” Noon said.

Keynote speakers for the service included retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Peter Russo, U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton, D-Copley Township, and State Rep. Christina Hagan, R-Marlboro Township, according to Frank Sasz, president of the Ohio Veterans’ Memorial Park. Rolling Thunder Chapter 5 will be joining the ceremony with the traveling POW/MIA wall, Ghost Warrior Ceremony and Missing Man Ceremony.