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SALT LAKE CITY — An 89-year-old World War II veteran riding his motorcycle across America to honor military veterans made a stop in Utah Friday.
Bruce Heilman served in the Marines during World War II, fighting in the Battle of Okinawa and surviving a plane crash at Iwo Jima. He is riding to remember for fallen veterans.
“Memorial Day is more than hot dogs and marshmallows, and we all should recognize, in everything we do, that our freedom comes from our military,” Heilman said.
Patriot Guard Riders of Utah joined Heilman Friday to escort him to Salt Lake City, and will escort him to Evanston, Wyoming, Sunday where Heilman’s journey will continue. Heilman, a native of Kentucky, plans to end his cross-country ride at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
As for being the 89-year-old riding 6,000 miles cross-country to Washington, Heilman said it’s an important journey to make.
“I do it because it’s a part of living your life to the fullest,” he said, adding he has had plenty of friends that never got the chance to do that.
