Patriot Guard Riders from Alabama, Ohio, Kentucky and Florida take a break at Love’s Truck Stop in Clanton as they escort the U.S. Marine Aviation Memorial Tower from Cincinnati to Pensacola, Fla., on Aug. 16.

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Monument passes through Clanton

By Emily Beckett Published 12:58pm Thursday, August 16, 2012
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A memorial monument hailing from Ohio passed through Clanton on Thursday during its 716-mile journey to Florida.

Patriot Guard Riders were escorting the U.S. Marine Aviation Memorial Bell Tower from Cincinnati to Veterans Memorial Park in Pensacola, Fla., to commemorate the U.S. Marine Aviation’s 100th anniversary.

“Our main mission is to shield and protect families of lost loved ones,” said Charles “Rainman” Davidson, senior ride captain of the Alabama Patriot Guard Riders. “This is a joyous mission because you’re celebrating Marine aviation.”

According to Davidson, the escort was comprised of about 50 riders from Alabama, Ohio, Kentucky and Florida by the time the group stopped at Love’s Truck Stop in Clanton on Thursday morning.

The Marine Aviation Memorial Tower will serve as the third national memorial to the U.S. Marine Corps.

The tower was built in Cincinnati, and its bell was transported separately, by plane.

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