Motorcycle run honors wounded warriors

Motorcycle run honors wounded warriors
By Susan DeMar Lafferty
August 27, 2012

Riders honor veterans during the 4th Annual Wounded Warriors motorcycle run to get underway at Pipefitters Local 597 Training Center in Mokena, IL on Sunday August 25, 2012.
Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media

Sunday’s rain may have dampened the numbers of motorcycle riders but not their enthusiasm as they gathered for the 4th Annual Wounded Warrior Motorcycle Run at the Local 597 Pipefitters Training Center on 187th Street in Mokena.

Organizer Mike Cozzi, of the Illinois Veterans Foundation, was hoping for 2,000 riders — to surpass last year’s total of 1,800 — but about 500 registered for the 30-mile run to Wilmington. Many more were expected to join the party at the end of the ride at the Operating Engineers Local 150 union hall.

“This is such a great event. The people here are true patriots. It’s raining, and they’re still here,” Tina Hauptman, of West Chicago, a volunteer with the Illinois Veterans Foundation said. “This is my passion. I volunteer to give back to the Americans who fought so hard for us.”

Before the kickstands went up on the bikes, the IVF honored 11 wounded warriors from Illinois, including Army veteran Brian Wilhelm, of New Lenox, who lost a leg in Iraq, and Sgt. Brian Poplin, of Mokena, represented by his wife because he is still serving with the National Guard, despite an 80 percent disability.

The IVF presented each one with a $1,000 check and has partnered with Home Depot of Chicago Ridge to modify their homes as needed.
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