GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (June 28, 2014) – ‘Finish the mission’ is not only the name of a new non-profit in West Michigan, it’s also a noble cause set out by the people behind the Freedom Cruise.
The cruise brings together car lovers and motorcycle enthusiasts with the promise of helping those who have served their country.
In the words of Dan Antor, one of the organizers, they are giving people a chance to do the same.
“Here is an opportunity to serve right now and that’s that 20 dollar ticket,” said Antor.
More than 25,000 dollars were raised on the raffle of a new Harley Davidson motorcycle alone. FOX 17’s Christian Frank was on hand for the event. 100 percent of the money raised goes back in the Grand Rapids Community.
“To take care of veterans in West Michigan, in particular the veterans V.A. home on Monroe Street in Grand Rapids,” said Antor. “That is where we are ear marking the funds for the event.”
But he said it goes beyond that, “It’s kind of like an Artprize on wheels.”
One of the life-sized portraits of a fallen soldier this year was seen for the first time by the family of Specialist Brandon Stout who was killed in Iraq in 2007. Stout was 23, had just married and was two weeks away from coming home when he died.
The traveling memorial only reinforces the need to help those returning to West Michigan from the battle field and to help the people behind the event finish the mission.
