Friday, March 29, 2024

Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients Ride Through Southlake

Tomorrow afternoon, Wednesday, April 6th, citizens will have a rare opportunity to cheer on an incredible group of living heroes. This is the eighth year to honor Congressional Medal of Honor recipient’s as a special motorcade makes its way from DFW Airport, along SH 114 in Southlake, all the way to Gainesville. The host City of Gainesville celebrates the Medal of Honor recipients with a weekend of activities and celebrations to honor them.  moh award

Each year the Medal of Honor recipients fly into DFW where they are met by a large group of police officers and firefighters from all across N. Texas including members of the Southlake Police and Fire departments. This year, a record number of first responders are participating in the ride, along with motorcycle groups like the Patriot Guard Riders, Christian Motorcycle Association and the Blue Knights.

The escort is an amazing site to see as people line the streets from DFW Airport to Gainesville to show their support and appreciation for the these living heroes and to honor their military service. Adults and children alike can be seen waving the American Flag and waving their hands as the motorcade passes by.

As in years past, the Southlake and Grapevine Fire Departments will lower a large U.S. flag between two fire engines on top of the Carroll Ave. bridge to honor the Medal of Honor recipients as they pass underneath the bride along HWY 114. It’s an honor for our Police and Fire Departments to play a small role in showing our gratitude and appreciation for these living heroes who served their country from World War II through the war in Afghanistan.

The motorcade is expected to stretch 8-9 miles long with well over 550 vehicles participating. We anticipate the motorcade will depart the staging area between 4:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., depending on the arrival of the last MOH recipient at DFW Airport. Be advised that the caravan honoring these heroes may cause delays in traffic along the route. The organizers of this event realize the motorcade will be leaving right around rush hour as the last MOH recipient lands at 4:00 p.m. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.

The Annual Medal of Honor Ride rolls through the City of Southlake

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Medal of Honor Ride 2013

The Annual Medal of Honor Ride rolls through the City of Southlake this Wednesday, April 9th, from 3:30pm-5:00pm.

This year 32 law enforcement agencies and 16 fire departments from North Texas will assist in honoring and escorting 22 Congressional Medal of Honor recipients to Gainesville, Texas.

The motorcade will also include motorcyclists from the Patriot Guard, Christian Motorcycle Association, the Blue Knights and the Southlake Police Department and Fire Rehab. The escort will depart from the staging area at 2870 East 14th St., in Irving [off of SH 114 and Freeport near the airport (Dallas County Community College Campus)], and follow a route to State Highway 114 westbound, to I35W northbound, to I35 northbound, to Gainesville, Texas.

As in years past, the Southlake Fire Department and the Grapevine Fire Department will lower a large U.S. flag between two fire engines on top of the Carroll Ave. bridge to honor these recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor as they pass underneath the bride along HWY 114.  Chief Mike Starr said, “It’s an honor for us to play a small role in showing our gratitude and appreciation for these Medal of Honor recipients.  They are all heroes in our eyes.”

The motorcade is an expression of the great gratitude we have for these living heroes from World War II through Afghanistan.

We anticipate the escort to depart the staging area between 3:30 PM and 4:30 PM, depending on the arrival of the last recipient at DFW Airport. Be advised that the caravan honoring these heroes may cause some delays in traffic along the route. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.