Veterans to be honored in Ride to Remember

PANAMA CITY — Gulf Coast State College is teaming up with Harley-Davidson to honor veterans with a Ride to Remember.

The Military Park located on the west end of the GCSC campus off U.S. 98 was founded in 2012, and each year since GCSC has honored veterans and the people who donated to the park’s construction through buying pavers, inscriptions and other donations. This year, GCSC has expanded it to include biker vets in a Ride to Remember leading up the event.

“A lot of our motorcycle enthusiasts are veterans,” said Loel Davenport, GCSC alumni affairs coordinator. “They like riding together and this is a charitable event. Those funds are used for veterans and active-duty military in their educational pursuits.”

Ride to Remember participants will need to register with a $15 donation. Books, educational supplies and other veterans’ resources also are funded with donations to the Military Park.

Registration for the Ride to Remember begins Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Harley-Davidson dealership, 14700 Back Beach Road (U.S. 98) in Panama City Beach. Kickstands go up at 10:15 a.m. to head over the Hathaway Bridge to the Military Park. Guest speaker Jennifer Clark, a former U.S. Air Force captain and author of “166 Days: My Journey through the Darkness,” will speak during the Military Park celebration at 10:45 a.m., which is free and open to the public.

 Want to go?

- What: Harley-Davidson’s Ride to Remember

- Where: Begins at the Harley Davidson dealership, 14700 Back Beach Road (U.S. 98)

- Cost: $15 donation

Saturday schedule

- 9 to 10 a.m.: Registration at Harley-Davidson

- 10:15: Ride to GCSC Military Park for celebration

- 10:45: Military Park Celebration; speaker: Jennifer Clark (former captain, U.S. Air Force, and author of “166 Days: My Journey through the Darkness”)

- Noon to 2 p.m.: Return to Harley-Davidson for lunch (Schlotzsky’s) and concert by the Neal James Duo