8th Annual Iwo Jima Survivors Victory Ride

If you have any questions, want to be a sponsor or volunteer, call Gary at 860-291-9666 for information.

THANK YOU TO OUR FOLLOWING SPONSORS (we are still looking for many more sponsors to join us):
1. Haymond Law Firm (Commandant Level)
2. Don Clady advertizing sponsor Connecticut Cruise News (Commandant Level)
3. Proud Few (Commandant Level)
4. Anthony Strong (Captain Level)
5. Hot Leathers
6. Papa's Dodge (Commandant Level)
DETAILS:
The 8th Annual Iwo Jima Survivors Victory Ride is organized by the Iwo Jima Survivors Association and Support Our Survivors of Iwo Jima (SOS). Proceeds from the this year’s ride go towards replacement of the Iwo Jima Living Memorial which is located along Route 9 adjacent to the National Iwo Jima Memorial Monument.

The National Iwo Jima Memorial is the only flag raising monument in the nation which was built by survivors of the Battle of Iwo Jima. The memorial was built in memory of their 6,821 comrades who perished during that bloody 36-day battle of World War II and was unveiled and dedicated on the 50th Anniversary of the Battle, February 23, 1995. In 1992, Iwo Jima Survivors were successful in getting the area of Route 9 adjacent to the memorial designated the Iwo Jima Memorial Expressway and 100 trees were planted in memory of the 100 Connecticut Servicemen who were killed in the battle. Over the past 25 years, most of the trees have since died due to environmental conditions and the Survivors to replace each tree in memory of their comrades.
The Mission of the Iwo Jima Survivors Association is to perpetuate the memory of those who fought and died on Iwo Jima and to educate others about WWII and the importance of the battle. Included in the day’s events are additional exciting activities aligned with this Mission. We will pay tribute to all World War II Veterans, our “Greatest Generation”, through OPERATION THANK YOU. All WWII veterans are invited to attend FREE as Guests of Honor for the day and will receive special VIP treatment. Come meet the Heroes of World War II. If you are or know of any WWII Veteran, contact us for more information and for a RSVP form.

We will also be having a ribbon cutting ceremony to unveil the completed interior design of the Iwo Jima / World War II Traveling Museum. This is the ONLY traveling WWII self-contained museum of its kind in the U.S.A.! All WWII Veterans will take part in the ribbon cutting after which the museum will be open for viewing.

The Iwo Jima Survivors Victory Ride will have a Poker Run format and will begin at the VFW on Veterans Drive in New Britain, CT. The ride will include a ceremony at the National Iwo Jima Memorial. A cookout luncheon will follow the ride and will include grand prize for best poker hand, raffle prizes, 50/50 raffle, DJ entertainment and trophies for motorcycles, World War II Veterans and Most Represented Club. The poker run is open to all motorcycles and cars. Walk-ins who want to take part in the celebrations are also welcome. In case of rain, all poker cards can be pulled inside the VFW. Sponsors include Haymond Law and our advertising sponsor is Don Clady of Connecticut Cruise News.

We are requesting your participation and sponsorship in order to make this possible for our “Greatest Generation”. Volunteers and Sponsors are needed so please contact us if you would like to help. Call Victory Ride Chairman, Gary Roy, at 860-291-9666 or email us at SOSIwoJima@yahoo.com. Look for upcoming ride details to be posted on our “8th Annual Iwo Jima Survivors Victory Ride” Facebook page.