ST. GEORGE — The public is invited to a patriotic day in the park honoring veterans Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Vernon Worthen Park, 300 S. 400 East in St. George. Enjoy lunch, booths, enter raffles to win – perhaps the grand prize Smith & Wesson AR15 rifle from Sportsman’s Warehouse – and meet active servicemen and veterans. Afterward, join in a charity motorcycle ride to Virgin Town Park.
Saturday’s event is the Patriot Guard Riders’ fundraiser for its Help on the Homefront program that assists disabled or disadvantaged veterans and their families with household repairs or chores that cannot be accomplished by the veteran.
About Help on the Homefront
The Patriot Guard Riders is a national organization, 260,000 members strong, Southern Utah member, Dale “Moe” Moore said.
The Help on the Homefront program is the riders’ flagship charity program designed to help veterans in their home who are unable, either physically or financially, to do the work or repairs their home needs.
Through the program, members of the Patriot Guard Riders of Southern Utah have assisted veterans in tasks both small and large from replacing sinks and electrical wiring to aiding one veteran with weeding and cleaning up his entire front yard.
“We pay for the repair materials,” Moore said, “or, at the very least, we provide the labor.”
Recently the group has been approached by The Home Depot on Sunset Boulevard in St. George. The corporation has agreed to assist with materials and even skilled labor for the program, Moore said.
Moore believes the program is very worthwhile, he said, and hopes to keep spreading the word that it exists. The program so far has only spread through word of mouth but Moore said he knows there are many veterans out there who are in need of help, adding that they would like to do more of these projects.
“We just want to be able to get out there and help,” Moore said, “no veteran need go without hot water or electricity.”
About “Honoring Veterans” event
The “Honoring Veterans” event at the park is free for the public to attend. Attendees at the event can meet veterans, listen to speakers including St. George Mayor Jon Pike and visit booths of local veteran service organizations.
The celebration and service will begin promptly at 10 a.m. with the raising of the flag by American Legion Post 90, other patriotic ceremony will follow along with speakers and prizes from the charity raffle.
Tickets for the charity raffle will be three for $5 or 15 for $20 and 100 percent of the proceeds raised will go directly to the Help on the Homefront program.
The grand prize is a Smith & Wesson AR15 rifle from Sportsman’s Warehouse. Prizes will be distributed prior to the motorcycle ride.
Charity motorcycle ride
The ride will depart at 1 p.m. and go to Virgin Town Park on state Route 9 in Virgin, where a chuck wagon style barbecue will be served by Wild Cat Willies grill and saloon. Riders must register by noon on the day of the event.
Tickets for the motorcycle ride are $25 per motorcyclist and $15 per passenger and registration will be available at the event.
Event recap
- What: Honoring Veterans Event
- When: Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Where: Vernon Worthen Park, 300 S. 400 E., St. George
- Ride registration: Available at the event
- Cost: Spectators free | Charity raffle: Three tickets for $5 or 15 tickets for $20 | Ride: $25 per rider, $15 per passenger
Resources
- Patriot Guard Riders of Southern Utah | website | Facebook
- PGR Utah “Help on the Homefront” | Facebook
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