Gold Star 500 brings out the brass
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By Ben Crane
Retired Major General Bill Enyart made his way back through his old stomping grounds during the Gold Star 500 Thursday in Arcola. The former Tuscola resident participated in the Gold Star 500 bike race that started in Metropolis and ended in Rockford.
The Gold Star Mission is an organization seeking to honor and support Illinois “Gold Star” families by preserving the memory of fallen military service members.
Enyart is a retired Belleville attorney, former congressman and former Illinois Adjutant General. He attended junior high school in Tuscola. His parents, William Lee Enyart, Sr., and Alta (Dallas) Enyart returned to Tuscola later in life until their deaths.
Maj. Gen. Enyart wasn’t the only top brass riding in the race, though. Ret. Brigadier Gen. Mark Rabin, who is 83 years old, was also among the cyclists.
“I like to do it for the challenge,” Rabin explained. “I also want to honor those who I served with.”
However, it wasn’t only Americans among the 60 or so cyclists in the group. According to event organizers, 12 Polish Army service members and veterans rode along in the race.
Przemek Klusek, a 35-year-old Pole, explained that the Polish Army and the Illinois National Guard have a strong relationship.
“I came to America to ride in this race,” Klusek said. “I flew into Chicago, then to Springfield. I arrived to Metropolis the day before the race.”
The Department of Defense National Guard State Partnership Program paired the ING and Poland together 31 years ago in 1993.
The cyclists descended on Arcola Thursday morning for around a 20-minute break that included breakfast items such as coffee, bagels, and more. They were escorted in by the Arcola Police Department and flanked by the Illinois State Police.
Students from Arcola High School, namely Rider Nation, were present to help the cyclists and support vehicles navigate Moore Park.
Before heading to their next destination, the cyclists held a moment of silence for fallen service members before departing north on U.S. Route 45.