It was a blustery and overcast Saturday afternoon as hundreds of people descended upon Perryville’s downtown square to await the arrival of bikers from across the country, who once again made their way to the southeast Missouri city to take part in the 12th Annual Bikers on the Square.
Due to a brief but heavy rainstorm that came through Fredericktown, where the bikers were gathered at the Madison County Courthouse prior to making their way to Perryville for the Parade of Honor, it was after 1 p.m. when around 220 motorcycles roared down West St. Joseph Street as “The Saluting Marine,” retired Staff Sgt. Tim Chambers, USMC, stood at attention in recognition of their military service, and spectators lined the streets with people holding flags to welcome the bikers to the community.
Each year, Bikers on the Square coincides with the Fifth Annual Missouri Vietnam Wall Run, sponsored by the Veterans in Defense of Liberty and the Liberty Riders of America and timed in conjunction with National POW/MIA Recognition Day on Friday and Saturday’s biker event.
“I think we had like 220 bikes approximately whenever they came through, which was very pretty,” said organizer Robynne Duvall. “Many of them have been here before, but there are always some who are here for the first time. We had an award to see who traveled the furthest, and we had some people from Washington State who traveled 2,030 miles to be here.”
Immediately following the bikers’ emotional entrance into town, a program was held at the downtown stage where they took part in a program led by Retired Colonel Jack Jackson who filled in as keynote speaker in Retired Colonel John Clark’s absence.
American Legion State Commander Jackson, one of the most decorated Marine Corps aviators of the Vietnam War, is the recipient of 33 air medals, four distinguished flying crosses and the Navy commendation for valor.
During his combat tour in Vietnam, Jackson flew close air support to both Army and Marine Corps Infantry Units engaged in heavy contact with North Vietnamese Forces.
On one mission, Jackson’s helicopter was reportedly shot down by enemy anti-aircraft fire, and his chopper pancaked into a gully. After crashing, his crew was still receiving enemy fire when he realized one of his crew members was still trapped in the chopper. Despite the intense fire, Jackson returned to the chopper to rescue the crew member.
After his active-duty service, Jackson remained in the Corps Reserve but was called back by the Marines to active duty during Desert Storm I to train pilots on how to fly the Harrier Jump Jet.
As a civilian, Jackson was the chief test pilot for Boeing in St. Louis. He was responsible for flying and evaluating jet-fire aircraft built by Boeing for the U.S. military. During one test flight, his plane malfunctioned over the Missouri Ozarks, and he was forced to bail out, sustaining shrapnel in his eyes from his ejection.
Jackson went on to serve four years in the Missouri House of Representatives and has written an autobiography called “Way Beyond the Blue.”
Local veterans from American Legion Post 133 presented the colors, a prayer was said, Jackson’s wife, Arleen, led the crowd in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and Staff Sgt. Tim Chambers briefly spoke to the crowd.
Jackson honored the veterans for their service and recognized a contingent of law enforcement personnel in town for the event. The retired colonel recalled how many Vietnam veterans, including himself, received no warm welcome upon their return from overseas. In light of this, Jackson “welcomed” the veterans home and thanked them for their service.
The stirring program ended with the release of black balloons in remembrance of America’s POWs and MIAs.
