Randolph and Davidson Counties Partner to Honor Veterans in Southeastern Old Threshers Reunion Ann
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Randolph and Davidson Counties Partner to Honor Veterans in Southeastern Old Threshers Reunion Ann

Posted on 06/24/14

Asheboro, NC - The Southeastern Old Threshers Reunion, held annually at Denton FarmPark, will kick off this year’s event week with their Annual Tractor Ride on June 30, 2014. The ride will include a 30-mile route through parts of Davidson and Randolph counties. Participants will pay a nominal rider fee with all funds collected going to help area homeless veterans and veterans who have fallen on hard times.  

This year’s tractor ride starts from Denton FarmPark at 9:15 a.m. and includes two rest stops along the route. The Heart of North Carolina Visitors Bureau and Petty Enterprises Historic Site are partnering to sponsor the first rest stop at Old Fashion Baptist Church on Richey Road. Ride participants should begin arriving between 10:15 and 10:45 a.m. for this 30 minute stop. Visitors Bureau staff and volunteers will provide bottled waters and sodas, and country ham, sausage and chicken biscuits and will have “goody” bags for all participants. 

“With the recent national news headlines regarding cases of neglect of our veterans across the country, Rebecca (Moffitt, executive director of Petty Enterprises) and I didn’t have to think twice when asked us to sponsor the Randolph County rest stop. It is a real honor for our organizations to be a part of this event.” said Tammy O’Kelley, director of the Randolph County Tourism Development Authority. 

Maj. Gen. Hubert Leonard will serve as Grand Marshal. Leonard, who recently turned 91, is a World War II veteran and former Thomasville mayor. After returning home safely from the war, his military career continued in the National Guard. By the 1960s, Leonard had gained widespread recognition for his service eventually leading him to become a Brigadier General. In 1991, President Bill Clinton named Leonard a civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army. 

There are nearly 200 tractors registered for this year’s event including a special Wounded Warrior Project Tractor that will lead the ride. The 1955 WD45 Allis Chalmers tractor is a custom build by Curtis Mabe of Parkton, who built the tractor as a tribute to all service members from North Carolina who died in wars from World War I through Afghanistan. The tractor has been decorated with the names of all 10,500 North Carolinian war casualties. 

“These men and women, and the sacrifices they made for our freedom, are truly our heroes,” says Mabe. 

Veterans without tractors or those unable to drive on their own are asked to show their support and come along on a tram provided by Denton FarmPark. 

“We will be riding through some of the most beautiful countryside in our state,” says Caron Myers with Caron Myers Media who is handling PR and logistics for the event. “You do not want to miss this.” 

If you would like to drive your tractor or ride the tram, be at the Denton FarmPark on June 30th no later than 8:00 a.m. to register. For additional information on participating in the ride, assisting at the rest stop, or specific route details, contact the Heart of North Carolina Visitors Bureau at 336-626-0364 or Denton FarmPark at 336-859-2755; or go online to www.farmpark.com. 

The Heart of North Carolina Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for Randolph County Tourism Development Authority, representing Archdale, Asheboro, Franklinville, Liberty, Ramseur, Randleman, Seagrove, Staley, and Trinity; and operates solely on occupancy taxes generated by overnight guests in Randolph County. For additional information, call (336) 626-0364 or go to HeartofNorthCarolina.com.

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