Gold Star Mission Riding for the Cause

Members of Gold Star Mission are riding across the state in hopes of raising money to remember their fallen comrades.

Gold Star Mission is a group of National Guardsmen...active or retired...who have pledged to venerate the memory of the 34 Illinois Guardsmen who have paid the ultimate price since the start of the Global War on Terrorism in 2005. Their name is taken from the Gold Star Mothers and families who have lost loved ones in the line of duty. In fact, Gold Star Mission President Dave Helfrick got permission from the Gold Star group before they began using the name they've chosen for their organization.

Helfrick said Gold Star Mission at the start of 2017. They are attempting to raise enough money to underwrite $1,000 scholarships for distribution in each of the communities that the fallen Guardsmen called home.

One way they're raising funds is the Gold Star 500, a bicycle ride across Illinois. They began earlier this week in Cairo. They spent Wednesday night in Mt. Vernon, are headed to Paris tonight, will stay the night Friday in Kankakee, and will finish the ride Saturday in St. Charles.

We spoke with Dave Helfrick during the riders' lunch break in Effingham at the National Guard Armory. Members of Effingham American Legion Post #120 fed the riders. Here is Greg's visit with Dave Helfrick...

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If you'd like to get involved in the efforts of Gold Star Mission, find out more at their Facebook page or their website www.goldstarmission.org.