The 15th annual Cruise 11 started with a car show in downtown Decatur’s Central Park on Sunday, Sept. 10th, and continued with an 11-mile cruise.
Cruise 11 was created in memory of Pvt John Gifford. Gifford worked at ADM when 9-11 took place and later quit his job and joined the Marines. He was the first Illinois casualty in Operation Iraqi Freedom, when he was killed in action on March 23, 2003 at age 30.
Each year, Cruise 11 serves as a fundraiser to collect donations for a veteran cause. Past years have supported the WWII Memorial Fund, Operation Enduring Support, Christmas Stockings for the troops, and monies have provided gift cards and essentials for many Veterans. Also, any donations given will go to the scholarship fund set up to honor MHS graduate Doug Hagen—a Vietnam Veteran KIA and posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Comments