News Article

Local Bikers take to the Road in Tribute to 278th ACR

Photo by Autumn Hughes Members of “The Wolf Gang,” a local motorcycle club, are sponsoring the 278th ACR Tribute Ride this Saturday, Pictured, from left, are Jimmy Wolf (on bike), Mike Mull, Kent Harris, Glenis Harris, Franklin Ferguson, Bonnie Barnett, Marlin Keaton and Phil Barnett (seated).

By: AUTUMN HUGHES Lifestyles Editor
Source: The Daily Post-Athenian
06-16-2004

A group of local motorcycle enthusiasts invite other bikers to a tribute ride to show support of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, the National Guard unit stationed at the McMinn County Armory. Several units of the 278th joined up in convoy to Camp Shelby, Miss., Monday morning.

According to members of “The Wolf Gang,” the 278th ACR Tribute Ride is one way to show support for the Guard and to help raise money for the families left behind.

“We just feel it’s a good thing to do,” said organizer Kent Harris, adding his father and uncle were in the 278th ACR.

“The Wolf Gang” has other ties to the 278th: member Franklin Ferguson, who will lead the ride, was in the 278th ACR in 1957; member Glenis Harris’s son, Sgt. Rick Shepherd, is currently in the 278th; and most of the bikers know Guardsmen Boyd Evans and Bobby Miller.

Kent said he rode in the tribute ride for slain Loudon County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Scott, and about 7,000 motorcycles turned up for that ride. Because so many people have ties to the 278th, organizers are expecting a good turnout.

Biker Phil Barnett has put together fliers that have been distributed in the region. “I’ve stuck fliers on every Coke machine in McMinn County,” Glenis said.

Glenis said three of “The Wolf Gang” work at Thomas & Betts and they meet on Saturdays and Sundays to ride together. She said the riders have known each other for several years, but their friend in common is Jimmy Wolf, which is why they decided to dub their group “The Wolf Gang.”

“It’s not what you ride, it’s that you ride,” Kent said. “We want to show support (for the 278th).”

“And support for the families,” Glenis added.

Kent said he has heard the Guard will be in Iraq for 18 months, so maybe at Christmas they will organize a toy run for the Guard members’ families, “If this works out.”

Bikers are asked to assemble at the National Guard Armory by noon and the group will depart at 2 p.m. Glenis said the Guardsmen will be at the Armory Saturday to see the riders on their way. She said the route for the tribute ride will lead past the 278th Armory in Sweetwater.

Approximate times for traffic locations for Saturday’s 278th ACR Tribute Ride:

  • Depart from the Armory at 2 p.m.
  • :05 p.m. – Light at Highway 30/39 crossing
  • 2:07 p.m. – Light at Park Street
  • Lights D10, D9 and D8 (Ingleside Avenue)
  • Lights D6 and D5 (Depot Hill)
  • Light at Congress Parkway, Bi-Lo and Hardee’s
  • 2:20 p.m. – Light at Mt. Verd Crossing/Congress Parkway
  • 2:25 p.m. – Light at Niota
  • 2:35 p.m. – Light at Sweetwater (Highway 11 and 68)
  • 2:45 p.m. – Light at Madisonville (Highway 68 and 411)
  • 2:55 p.m. – Light at Englewood
  • 3:05 p.m. – Light at Etowah (Highway 411 and 30)
  • Lights at Mecca Pike, BP, Depot and Shell station
  • 3:30 p.m. – Light at Bowater Road and Highway 11
  • 3:45 p.m. – Riceville
  • Lights at Lowe’s and Wal-Mart
  • 4 p.m. – Lights D5 and D6 (Depot Hill)
  • Lights D8, D9, D10, D11 and D12

    • Kent encouraged local residents to gather along the route “to show patriotism and to honor our troops, our heroes.”

    Event organizers are expecting a couple of motorcycle clubs to participate and hope for 1,000 riders to show up for the tribute ride.

    So far, Smoky Mountain Water has contributed to the ride, and other local businesses are encouraged to offer support services for the event.

    Bikers may bring donations to the event and local Family Readiness Group President Donna Cagle will be accepting donations at the ride.

    To make a donation, or for more information, call Glenis Harris at 745-1551 or Bonnie Barnett at 746-0947.

    Story Copyright to McMinn County Online

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