Greg Oderich of Denver, Colo., puts up his bike during a stop in Gibson City that was part of the Gold Star Mission’s ninth annual Gold Star 500. Mindy Basi/Ford County Chronicle
GIBSON CITY — A group of cyclists rolled into Gibson City on Tuesday, Sept. 23, as part of a regionwide 530-mile trek to reach out to Gold Star families in Central Illinois.
The annual Gold Star 500, organized by the Gold Star Mission, honors fallen Illinois military service members and their families. The group’s mission — “preserving the memory of our fallen heroes by serving others in need” — has inspired a range of activities, including the Gold Star 500 as one of its signature events.
Russell and Diane Coulter of Gibson City were among the Gold Star families who visited with the cyclists during their stop in Gibson City, which included an overnight stay in the gymnasium of Gibson City-Melvin Sibley Middle School. Their grandson, Sgt. Joshua Rodgers, was killed in a firefight in Afghanistan in 2017 at age 22 during his third year of service.
Also there was his mother, Vonda Rodgers of Bloomington, who has been volunteering with the Gold Star Mission for four years. For each Gold Star 500, she drives a support vehicle behind the riders, often taking on the role as spokesperson for the group.
Diane and Russell Coulter of Gibson City, foreground, were among the Illinois Gold Star families who stopped in Gibson City during the Gold Star 500 bicycle ride. Vonda Rodgers, back, volunteers with the Gold Star Mission. Mindy Basi/Ford County Chronicle
Rodgers is passionate about her work with the organization.
“This group is like family to me,” she said. “We are surrounded by love. These riders are patriots, Gold Star family members, and friends. Anyone in the armed forces that has seen combat has lost someone. It’s an unimaginable loss, but we always remember — and never forget the names of the fallen.”
Rodgers said her work with the Gold Star Mission has helped her with her grief because it gives her a chance to celebrate her son’s life, not just memorialize his death.
“We want people to remember their lives and their stories,” she said. “My son was a hero — and living his dream. Now, we say his name, which is what every Gold Star family member wants.”
Gold Star 500 riders can participate in a single 100- mile segment of the annual bike ride or complete the entire route. Participants come from all over the country. Greg Oderich of Denver, Colo., pausing to repair his bike at the overnight stop in Gibson City, said he would complete the entire 500 miles.
“My grandfather served in Vietnam, and when I heard about this ride, I knew I wanted to be part of it,” Oderich said. “The purpose behind it matters.”
“Always remember, never forget” is the motto the group honors at each stop along the route. After the names of local fallen military heroes are stated, there is a moment of silence, after which “always remember” and “never forget” are repeated three times each in honor of the fallen.
The visits from the Gold Star 500 riders are celebratory for local Gold Star families and can be cathartic, said Eric Murray, a Gold Star 500 volunteer. At lunches or evening meals held at stops along the route, local Gold Star families are encouraged to attend. At each gathering, family members and friends are given an opportunity to speak at an open microphone about the life of their fallen service member.
“Some people choose not to speak, but others come up and say the names and remember the lives of those they lost,” Murray said. “Some people who have never talked about it open up. It is very moving. We want to get to as many communities as we can and give them these opportunities.”
The Gold Star Mission also collects donations to produce videos of fallen soldiers for families and others to share. So far, 14 videos have been produced and are available to view at goldstarmission.org.
“The videos bring the fallen soldiers to life,” Rodgers said.
Also, the Gold Star Mission began offering scholarships in 2017 in honor of Illinois’ fallen military service members to “those who exemplify selfless service in their own communities,” according to the group’s website. It has awarded $317,000 in scholarships so far. Recipients are asked to learn about the person they represent and honor them at an annual banquet.
The lodging arrangements for the Gold Star 500 cyclists in Gibson City were made by A.J. Richard, director of student services for the GCMS school district. Superintendent Jeremey Darnell was on hand to welcome the riders to GCMS Middle School’s gym, where they slept overnight on cots, while Richard stayed busy helping the riders find the showers and the dryers for their wet clothes — as a sudden rain storm had soaked the cyclists while en route.
The cyclists left Gibson City the next morning, riding on to Rantoul, their next destination. The five-day bicycle ride — which spanned from Tuesday, Sept. 23, through Saturday, Sept. 27 — began in Springfield and also passed through Lincoln, Clinton, Danville, Paris, Olney, Noble, Flora, Mount Vernon, Pinckneyville, Highland, Marine and Litchfield, where a closing ceremony was held. An estimated 20 to 25 riders were expected to be on the road each day.
For more information about the Gold Star Mission or how to get involved, visit https://goldstarmission.org or email
publicrelations@goldstarmission.