Army Spc. Grant Yohnka of Chebanse and fallen Army soldier Jeremy Sherman of Watseka are among the U.S. military heroes honored last week during the 13th annual Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Memorial Torch Motorcycle Ride.

Thursday’s ride was part of the local involvement as the cross-country route through east-central Illinois found local military tributes doing their part. The Fallen Soldiers Memorial Flame is making its way from Eugene, Oregon to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Chebanse American Legion Post 408 honored its Brother-in-Arms, Grant Yohnka. The Fallen Soldier Home Visits recognizes the Memorial Plaque of Distinguished Service, graciously acknowledge service members’ sacrifice.

Fire trucks and personnel from Aroma Park and Otto Township raised an American Flag assisted bike riders. Family and friends of Grant Yohnka were on hand to present a memorial plaque during the local stop honoring Grant’s military service with the U.S.Army’s 5th Engineer Battalion. Grant was a local kid from Chebanse, a Bradley-Bourbonnais High School graduate in 1999, enlisting in 2000.

The Kankakee County Sheriff’s department and the Illinois State Police provided traffic control for the Motorcycle Run prior to the Honor Guard appearance at the Chebanse American Legion, where a 21-gun salute was presented.

This year’s Torch Ride also included a local stop in Watseka to recognize and honor Army Sgt.Jeremy Sherman. The 23-year-old was killed November 12, 2020 during a peacekeeping mission in Egypt. Sgt. Sherman and five others were killed when the helicopter they were in experienced mechanical problems. Watseka Fire Department members greeted motorcycle riders by hoisting the American Flag ahead of the Honor visit at Sherman’s family residence on E. Mulberry Street in Watseka.

The annual ride begins in Oregon each summer and takes a different cross-country route to Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., stopping along the way to honor 68 fallen heroes in each of their hometowns.

94.1 WGFA