Convoy Of Motorcyclists Roars Into Town

If you thought you saw and heard a convoy of over 200 motorcycles making their way through town this past weekend, you were right.

There were a total of four American Legion posts represented in this year’s American Legion Post 2 Charles “Ken” Gray Memorial Ride, which stopped in Greeneville Saturday afternoon.

The fundraiser event began in Sevierville, with the riders making their way in to Greeneville from Highway 349. From there, they rode through Main Street onto Forest Street and then onto the Asheville Highway, at which point the convoy took a rest and fuel break at Food City.

D.J. Hunley, vice commander and riders director for Post 2 of the American Legion in Knoxville, worked directly with the Greene County Partnership Department of Tourism to prepare for the slew of riders.

“Greeneville has gone out of their way to make us feel welcome and taken care of our immediate needs,” Hunley said. “We will definitely have to plan to spend more time here in the future.”

A large percentage of the money raised from the ride will go to support American Legion programs, such as the Legacy Fund and the School Award Medal program, which teaches character and leadership education to students nationwide.

Another portion of the funds raised will go to funding a new building for the American Legion Post 2 in Knoxville.

Many Greeneville businesses along the ride’s route displayed signs on their marquees welcoming the group, and the Greeneville Fire Department hoisted an American flag on a ladder truck for the riders to pass under.

“I would like to thank all of the businesses on the Asheville Highway and on West Main for displaying their welcome to our guests,” Greene County Partnership Tourism Director Tammy Kinser said about the event. “Even those who had strict guidelines on what they can and cannot put on the scrolling marquee made special concessions for our visitors and for that, I am very thankful.”

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