Warriors Weekend in Marion, Illinois – June 30th Through July 3rd

Married Marine couple, Isabel “MGUNZ” Lira, and Michael “ShortFuze” Gasperini, have been working tirelessly to bring the Global War on Terror Wall of Remembrance to Southern Illinois.

Leave it to two Marines to take on this large task for their Veteran community. However, they aren’t exactly doing this alone. They have teamed up with some big players in the community to accomplish this megalithic mission.

They, along with the Black Diamond Family of Businesses are partnering with Romans Warrior Foundation, and the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Chapter 24-5, to bring the Veterans and communities in the Southern Illinois area, a whole weekend for Warriors.

“My whole goal for this weekend through the support these was to bring the Global War on Terror Wall to Southern Illinois, as well as raise awareness to Veteran Suicide rates,” shares ShortFuze.

When we asked Isabel “MGUNZ” about the importance of the bringing this monumental wall to Southern Illinois she responded that, “It’s not just the male military personnel that are being K.I.A, we also should remember and honor the female service members that given their all. They also need to be recognized. We don’t always get the recognition we deserve. Females are Veterans, too,” shares MGUNZ.

But where did this idea come from, and how did it grow into a whole weekend of celebrations?

ShortFuze tells us that, “The idea came from a friend that I served with in Iraq. Last year in 2022, it started off with a Healing Hearts and Minds Ride.  Another friend of mine that I also served with was connected with the Global War on Terrorism Wall of Remembrance and we were able to raise the funds to bring the Wall to Southern Illinois.  We worked with Black Diamond to bring it here in 2022 for one day.”

This year, the team decided to grow the event into a whole weekend of celebrations honoring the fallen and those that have served. And that’s how the “Home of The Brave Warriors Celebration” came into being. “We were working with Black Diamond Harley Davidson to bring the wall back for a motorcycle ride and that’s when they suggested doing a whole weekend,” shares ShortFuze.  

For Veterans and community members wanting to see the wall for Free, they are welcome to visit Marion Stadium any time after the Thrillbillies baseball games, June 30th through July 3rd.  After the games, the stadium will be open to the public and the Stop22 Tour with the Chris Turner Band will also be performing nightly concerts.

The Stopp22 Tour band was formed by combat Veterans to raise awareness for Veterans issues.

Having the Stop22 Tour with the Chris Turner Band included in this Warrior Weekend really adds an original value and strengthens the message regarding the need to support Veterans that may be struggling.

“Really, Memorial Day is more than one day a year. Especially to those that have sacrificed everything. Their families remember every day,” shares ShortFuze.

To help raise awareness to Veteran Suicides, the Stop 22 Tour, will be performing each night after the Thrillbillies play at the Marion Stadium. 

Now that’s a trio you can’t miss – The Thrillbillies, Global War on Terrorism Wall of Remembrance, and the Stop22 Tour with the Chris Turner Band!

With such a fun filled tribute to our Veterans, we are providing the scheduled break-down for each day, below.  If you have any questions, please email Mike “ShortFuze” at mgasperini69@gmail.com

 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS AND PARTICIPANTS

Friday June 30

0800 - CVMA 24-5 and HOG BD Chapter meet up at Rent One Park

0930 – K/U Rent One Center for link up with GWOTWOR

1030 - Get fuel near 4 Rivers HD

1100 – Arrive 4 Rivers HD link up with CVMA 1-3, HOG Chapter 4 Rivers, GWOT WOR/Stop22

1200 - K/U 4 Rivers HD

1215 - link up with Illinois State Troopers

1315 - Arrive Rent One Park

1415 - Set up GWOT WOR BDHD provide fork lift to move wall trailer

1825 - Color Guard - Behind The Bits Horse Color Guard

1830 - National Anthem - Chris Turner Lead Guitarist

1840 - Throw out first pitch Stop22 Members

1845 - Ball Game - ThrillBillies

2200 - Concert –Chris Turner Band/Stop22

 

Saturday July 1

1130 – CVMA 24-5 Ride Registration starts at Rent One Park

1230 – Safety brief K/U

1730 –Riders return to Rent One Park

1745 – Participants from ride will lap the ballpark (Set up along right field side)

1800 - Color Guard Bill with BDHD will carry flags on Bike

1805 - National Anthem Mikala Beck

1810 - Throw out first pitch Veterans

1815 - Ball Game - ThrillBillies

2200 Concert –Chris Turner Band/Stop22

 

Sunday July 2

1800 - Color Guard – Marine Recruiting of Marion

1805 - National Anthem – Cody Galloway

1810 - Throw out first pitch CVMA Members

1815 - Ball Game - ThrillBillies

2200 Concert –Chris Turner/Band Stop22

 

Monday July 3

1825 - Color Guard – Marion VFW

1830 - National Anthem - Chris Turner

1840 - Throw out first pitch Gold Star Families

1845 - Ball Game – ThrillBillies

2200 - Concert –Chris Turner Band/Stop22