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mokenamessenger.com news<br />
the Mokena Messenger | August 24, 2017 | 3<br />
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DAVID J COBB<br />
Members of the Twisted Aces Motorcycle Club posing for a photo after the motorcycle run<br />
in honor of PFC Aaron Toppen. Laurie Fanelli/22nd Century Media<br />
Gone, not forgotten<br />
708.205.COBB(2622)<br />
Third annual PFC<br />
Aaron Toppen<br />
Motorcycle Run<br />
honors local hero<br />
Laurie Fanelli<br />
Freelance Reporter<br />
Army Private First Class<br />
Aaron Toppen continues<br />
to have a positive effect on<br />
his hometown of Mokena<br />
and the surrounding cities.<br />
Though he was killed while<br />
serving in Afghanistan in<br />
2014, his memory and spirit<br />
are ever-present forces in the<br />
community still inspiring<br />
the best in the people who<br />
proudly honor his service<br />
and sacrifice.<br />
On Sunday, Aug. 20, hundreds<br />
of motorcyclists came<br />
together to pay tribute to<br />
Toppen’s bravery while raising<br />
money for a pair of good<br />
causes at the third annual<br />
PFC Aaron Toppen Motorcycle<br />
Run. Troy Walker, of<br />
Sandwich — who is a Ride<br />
Captain with the Patriot<br />
Guard — has helped to organize<br />
the event since the inaugural<br />
run in 2015.<br />
“The No. 1 priority of today<br />
— first and foremost,<br />
above any dollar amount that<br />
we can raise — is remembering<br />
Aaron and keeping<br />
his spirit alive,” Walker said.<br />
Toppen’s photo was<br />
proudly displayed throughout<br />
the Pipefitter Training<br />
Facility where the run began.<br />
From there, riders traveled<br />
to Saint John’s Cemetery,<br />
where Toppen was<br />
laid to rest. “We always have<br />
a Color Guard posted at the<br />
cemetery and this year the<br />
Lincoln-Way Junior ROTC<br />
cadets were out there with<br />
the Color Guard as the procession<br />
went by,” Walker<br />
said.<br />
Riders then made their<br />
way down to the Abraham<br />
Lincoln National Cemetery<br />
in Elwood before heading<br />
back up to the Pipefitter<br />
Training Facility for lunch,<br />
entertainment and a special<br />
ceremony honoring Toppen,<br />
as well as all local fallen soldiers<br />
and Gold Star families.<br />
Funds generated from registration<br />
fees, donations and<br />
raffles benefited two charities<br />
that support causes close<br />
to Toppen’s heart, the Lincolnway<br />
Special Recreation<br />
Association and Operation<br />
Warrior Wishes.<br />
“Aaron’s fiance, Jackie<br />
[Rozek] volunteered with<br />
LWSRA, so helping kids<br />
with special needs is a cause<br />
that is very important to<br />
her,” Walker said. “Because<br />
it was so special for Jackie,<br />
it became something special<br />
for Aaron, as well.”<br />
Walker explained that organizers<br />
chose Operation<br />
Warrior Wishes as the other<br />
beneficiary because of the<br />
group’s efforts in helping<br />
soldiers from all eras — especially<br />
today’s veterans —<br />
enjoy a day of fun, friendship<br />
and support at sports<br />
games all over the country.<br />
Co-founder Craig Steichen,<br />
of St. Charles, started Operation<br />
Warrior Wishes with his<br />
son as a way to say “thank<br />
you” to veterans for their<br />
service.<br />
“The first 10 or 12 times<br />
we did it — because we<br />
aren’t military veterans our-<br />
Please see toppen, 9<br />
Phone: 815.485.5500 • david@davidjcobb.com<br />
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