RORYE O’CONNOR
rorye.oconnor@register-news.com
MT. VERNON — — A local motorcycle club works to honor veterans and help them in whatever way possible.
The Band of Brothers Motorcycle Club, founded three years ago in part by Jim “Scudder” Fisher of Mt. Vernon, spends its time and resources raising money and awareness for veterans issues.
“We got started because I used to belong to a Vietnam Veterans motorcycle club, which was nationwide,” he said. “It was hard to get along with everyone. It only allowed Vietnam veterans, and wouldn’t include the veterans coming back. I thought we could break off and have a new club with all the veterans.”
He said the club started out as veterans-only, but expanded to allow non-veterans who have an interest in honoring and supporting veterans’ issues.
“The whole thing was started out of love and respect for veterans,” he said. “It doesn’t take a veteran to show respect for them. Everybody has a father, a brother, a relative, a friend involved in the military over the last 40 years. We thought we’d cut ourselves short, so we expanded it.”
Fisher said as a Vietnam veteran who faced animosity from the public upon his return, he felt a urge to do something to help the veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
He said the mission statement of the club is to honor the fallen. To do so, the club members attend the funerals of those killed in action and help the families to cope and understand the losses they’re experiencing.
The Band of Brothers motorcycle club, which draws its name from the TV miniseries chronicling the actions of Easy Company of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division, also honors the soldiers killed in action, missing in action or who were taken prisoner and never came home, Fisher said.
“We go to anything we can that’s veteran-related,” he said. “If we can raise money for something veteran-related, we do that also.”
He said in February, the club held a benefit dinner for Chas Ligons of West Frankfort, who was injured overseas and is in Texas undergoing treatment and recovery.
Band of Brothers motorcycle club raised about $1,000 to help his mother, who is living in Texas with Ligons while he is recuperating, Fisher said.
He said co-chairmen Jim “Ratchet” Lowry and Tony “EZ” Cates did a “marvelous job” organizing the chicken and dumplings dinner.
The club spans all of Southern Illinois, though Fisher declined to say how many members it has.
He said its members look forward to the Blessing of the Bikes and the Cpl. J. Kyle Price Memorial Ride each year, as well as poker runs, benefits and rodeos.
“We will do benefits for people if we can, as long as it’s a veteran’s issue or concern,” he said.
Fisher said those who would like to have a benefit hosted by the club may call him at 204-5324.
The Band of Brothers Motorcycle Club, founded three years ago in part by Jim “Scudder” Fisher of Mt. Vernon, spends its time and resources raising money and awareness for veterans issues.
“We got started because I used to belong to a Vietnam Veterans motorcycle club, which was nationwide,” he said. “It was hard to get along with everyone. It only allowed Vietnam veterans, and wouldn’t include the veterans coming back. I thought we could break off and have a new club with all the veterans.”
He said the club started out as veterans-only, but expanded to allow non-veterans who have an interest in honoring and supporting veterans’ issues.
“The whole thing was started out of love and respect for veterans,” he said. “It doesn’t take a veteran to show respect for them. Everybody has a father, a brother, a relative, a friend involved in the military over the last 40 years. We thought we’d cut ourselves short, so we expanded it.”
Fisher said as a Vietnam veteran who faced animosity from the public upon his return, he felt a urge to do something to help the veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
He said the mission statement of the club is to honor the fallen. To do so, the club members attend the funerals of those killed in action and help the families to cope and understand the losses they’re experiencing.
The Band of Brothers motorcycle club, which draws its name from the TV miniseries chronicling the actions of Easy Company of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division, also honors the soldiers killed in action, missing in action or who were taken prisoner and never came home, Fisher said.
“We go to anything we can that’s veteran-related,” he said. “If we can raise money for something veteran-related, we do that also.”
He said in February, the club held a benefit dinner for Chas Ligons of West Frankfort, who was injured overseas and is in Texas undergoing treatment and recovery.
Band of Brothers motorcycle club raised about $1,000 to help his mother, who is living in Texas with Ligons while he is recuperating, Fisher said.
He said co-chairmen Jim “Ratchet” Lowry and Tony “EZ” Cates did a “marvelous job” organizing the chicken and dumplings dinner.
The club spans all of Southern Illinois, though Fisher declined to say how many members it has.
He said its members look forward to the Blessing of the Bikes and the Cpl. J. Kyle Price Memorial Ride each year, as well as poker runs, benefits and rodeos.
“We will do benefits for people if we can, as long as it’s a veteran’s issue or concern,” he said.
Fisher said those who would like to have a benefit hosted by the club may call him at 204-5324.
