Trail of Honor

09/03/2025

Good day all,

There is a Patriotic Opportunity coming up that many within the Trail of Honor Family may be interested in participating in with either working animals, historical equipment, historical uniforms, or motorcycles.

The Great American Parade will be held at 0930 on Monday 13 October 2025.

October 2 – 13, 2025 will be our Great American Fair on the Mississippi Fairgrounds in Jackson. This patriotic celebration is in conjunction with the White Houses’ America250 initiative paying tribute to America’s 250th anniversary next year.

This parade will kick off a day full of festivities including a concert and fireworks show at the end of the day.

Commissioner Gipson and the whole MDAC team would be honored to have the Trail of Honot participate in the parade.

Attached is the Entry Application, please help spread the word!

Freedom is Not Free

Never Forget



**rt

03/26/2025

25 March 2025

Mississippi Patriot Guard Mission and information from the DPAA.

PRESS RELEASE | Aug. 9, 2024
Airman Accounted for from WWII (Scarborough, A.)
Washington –
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Alvin R. Scarborough, 22, of Dossville, Mississippi, who was captured and died as a prisoner of war during World War II, was accounted for Sept. 21, 2023.

In late 1942, Scarborough was a member of 454th Ordnance Company (Aviation), when Japanese forces invaded the Philippine Islands in December. Intense fighting continued until the surrender of the Bataan peninsula on April 9, 1942, and of Corregidor Island on May 6, 1942.

Thousands of U.S. and Filipino service members were captured and interned at POW camps. Scarborough was among those reported captured when U.S. forces in Bataan surrendered to the Japanese. They were subjected to the 65-mile Bataan Death March and then held at the Cabanatuan POW camp. More than 2,500 POWs perished in this camp during the war.

According to prison camp and other historical records, Scarborough died July 28, 1942, and was buried along with other deceased prisoners in the local Cabanatuan Camp Cemetery in Common Grave 215.

Following the war, American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) personnel exhumed those buried at the Cabanatuan cemetery and relocated the remains to a temporary U.S. military mausoleum near Manila. In 1947, the AGRS examined the remains in an attempt to identify them. Five sets of remains from Common Grave 215 were identified, but the rest were declared unidentifiable. The unidentified remains were buried at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial (MACM) as Unknowns.

In early 2018, the remains associated with Common Grave 215 were disinterred and sent to the DPAA laboratory for analysis.

To identify Scarborough’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis.

Although interred as an Unknown in MACM, Scarborough’s grave was meticulously cared for over the past 70 years by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC).

Scarborough will be buried in Carthage, Mississippi, on a date to be determined.

***Patriot Guard Mission***

Brookhaven and surrounding areas we will meet at notth exit 42 Shell Station @1030 KSU 1045 and take I-55 north to exit 85 and meet Roger in Byram

Lloyd Wilson
601-757-1303

HONOR MISSION ES**RT

U.S. ARMY AIR CORPS WWII POW/KIA SSGT. ALVIN SCARBOROUGH

VAIDEN MS 39176

WEDNESDAY MARCH 26 2025

We will es**rt SSGT Scarborough from Vaiden MS to Carthage MS, accompanied by LEO.

STAGING: Wednesday March 26 at the 35/55 Truck Stop, 33853 MS 35, Vaiden at 1:30 p.m. Upon his arrival PGR and American Legion Post 44 Riders will es**rt SSGT. Scarborough to Wilcox Funeral Home, 106 S Jordan St, Carthage 39051.

STAGING FOR METRO AREA RIDERS: 11:45 a.m. Byram QT, 7516 Siwell Rd (Exit 85). KSU 12:00 p.m.

When we leave Vaiden, we will not stop until we get to the funeral home so top off at Vaiden.

RC Roger (Roadranger) Barrett, MSSC

601-826-5205

After 82 years and 8 months this American Hero is coming home, let us welcome and es**rt him in style!

SSgt Alvin Scarborough
US Army Air Corps, WWII, POW, Bataan Death March

Date of Loss: 28 July 1942

Say Their Name
Tell Their Story

Never Forget


**rt

03/20/2025

20 March 2025

6 years ago today, the Trail of Honor received an unprecedented 3rd Shining Example Award as the Best Event in 2019 by the Southeast Tourism Society.

What an incredible run we had!

We met some of the most amazing people, made new friends, many became family, and we made memories to last a lifetime.

Thank you all who were a part of our success over the years. We truly did something special.

Remember those also that we lost along the way…

Freedom is Not Free

Never Forget

On behalf of Earl and The Trail of Honor, Congratulations and Thank You All!

The Southeast Tourism Society has chosen The Trail of Honor as the Top 20 Event or Festival of the Year for 2018. We have been a Top 20 Event for the month of May since 2009, and this is the 3rd time that WE have be recognized as the Top Event of the Year!

We couldn’t do what we do without each and everyone of you; whether you are a Re-enactor, Volunteer, Sponsor, or supporting us from behind the scenes.

As the Director, I sincerely thank you all, and look forward to continuing to work together, growing the event, and honoring America’s Veterans.

Never Forget

11/18/2024

18 November 2024

The Trail of Honor and Flags of Honor Escorts would like to thank everybody who supported and participated in the es**rt for Billy Henderson today.

Thank you to the Mississippi Patriot Guard, CMA, the Marine Corps League, numerous LEOs, and the Mississippi Veterans Cemetery.

Billy will be missed by all…

God Bless Our Defenders and Warriors, welcome in Our Fallen Heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice for Our Freedoms, hold close Our Gold Star Families and the Friends and Loved Ones left behind, comfort and heal Our Brothers and Sisters who continue to fight unseen wounds every day, and bestow safety upon those who are on Mission every day.

Travel Mercies to All.

Never Forget




**rt

11/16/2024

Billy Henderson, USMC Veteran and long time volunteer and supporter of The Trail of Honor, passed away at his home on Friday, 1 November 2024.

Burial:
Where: Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery
248 Honor Circle
Newton, Mississippi
When: 1100 hrs, Monday, 18 November 2024

Rider’s that would like to take part in the Mississippi PGR Mission to es**rt Billy to his final duty station at the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery Monday morning, 18 November 2024 can choose from the 3 options listed below:

Brookhaven Staging:
*MOTORCYCLES ONLY
Where: Shell Station, exit 42 Brookhaven
When: 0730, KSU @0745

Byram Staging:
*MOTORCYCLES ONLY
Where: QuikTrip (QT), exit 85
When: 0830, KSU @0845

Pearl Staging:
Where: Baldwin Lee Funeral Home
3780 Hwy 80 W
Pearl MS
When: 0930, KSU @0945

You may also choose to travel on your own to the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery for the 1100 service.

Billy Joe Henderson
USMC
9 July 1943 - 1 November 2024

Never Forget

08/07/2024

21 May and 7 August 2024

As many of you know by now, I had 100 personalized Farewell to the Trail Commemorative Challenge Coins made to be presented to select volunteers, sponsors, and VIPs of the Trail of Honor.

On Monday 21 May 2024, 2 of these coins were presented in Jackson Mississippi at the Farewell to the Trail Run For The Wall Lunch, but have not posted about their presentation. I figured today was an appropriate day, as Gunny has just been inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s Hall of Fame, Class of 2024.

Congrats Gunny!

Where it began…

In 1987, following a visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, Ray Manzo, Combat Veteran, USMC, Vietnam, sat down and started handwriting letter after letter and mailed them around the country. He had a vision, if not a calling, that the America people had to demand more be done to bring home our Prisoners of War and Missing in Action. His vision was one of a demonstration to be held in Washington DC over Memorial Day Weekend. This was NOT a Motorcycle Rally, this was a Demonstration of the unified voices of American Veterans, Families, and Patriots to Demand a Proper Accounting of Our Missing.

Receiving one of these letters was James Gregory, ‘Gunny’, also a Combat Veteran, USMC, Vietnam. Gunny who was serving as President of Abate for Southern California responded to that letter stating that he was still on Active Duty and could not attend the first year, but would be there the following year…

In May of 1988, Ray’s vision became a reality when Memorial Day Weekend found thousands converging on Washington DC with a unified voice for the first Rolling Thunder…

…In May of 1989, Gunny, in keeping his word, Founded and lead the First Run for the Wall from San Diego California to Washington D.C.

Ray’s Mission drove the creation of Run For The Wall Mission in 1989, and in turn, the Trail of Honor Mission began when RFTW Southern Route stopped in Jackson MS in May of 2000.

Know the history…

3 Motorcycle ‘related’ events; Missions, not Rallies!

Gunny and Patti have become good friends over the years, and it was my honor to be able to present them both with numbered coins:

Patti O'Dell Gregory received Farewell to the Trail Commemorative Challenge Coin #10, for simply being a beautiful person inside and out! Much love to you Ma’am, always, thank you for taking care of him…

James Gregory Gunny, Founder of Run For The Wall received Farewell to the Trail Commemorative Challenge Coin #89, in honor of his Mission and the first running of Run For The Wall in 1989. Thank you for paving the way Gunny, LYMI, and thank you for taking care of her…

A Demonstration, not a rally…

A Mission, not a rally…

…find your Mission

Until they all come home…

Say their names
Tell their stories

Gary L. Hall
Joseph N. Hargrove
Danny G. Marshall

Never Forget



**rt

07/27/2024

27 July 2024

As many of you know by now, I had 100 personalized Farewell to the Trail Commemorative Challenge Coins made to be presented to select volunteers, sponsors, and VIPs of the Trail of Honor. One of these was to be presented to Melvin Wade. Melvin worked for JR Restaurant Group and Outback Steakhouse. For many years I have had the pleasure to know Melivin and to work with him on several events.

I would repeatedly try to get Melvin on a helicopter to simply say thank you for all that he did and had done for the Trail of Honor as well as many other organizations. Every year the offer of a helicopter ride was declined, no matter whether it was for a short lift from LZ Gator, or a longer flight in conjunction with one of our promotions or es**rts, he simply was not having any part of it. As soon as I would mention helicopters, his head would start shaking and his smile would grow. He was always so grateful and gracious, but also unmistakably adamant that he was not flying!

Following the 2024 Trail of Honor, I received word that Melvin had been hospitalized. When I returned from a Memorial Day week Mission, I called the hospital to get his room number so I could take him his coin, however, he had been released a couple days earlier. I ‘thought’ that I would simply be able to present Melvin his coin at a later date, but as we all should know and remember, tomorrow is not promised.

I recently asked Steve if he had somebody in the family he could present Melvin’s coin to on behalf of myself and the Trail of Honor and he responded absolutely. Thank you.

Melvin Wade’s Homegoing Celebration will take place today in Jackson Mississippi.

I am currently on the road in Michigan with Flags of Honor Escorts supporting the ALR Hell to Paradise PTSD Ride, but I will keep Melvin’s family and friends in my heart and on my mind as they celebrate him today. Upon arrival in Paradise Michigan this afternoon, I will raise a glass and simple say ‘To Melvin, Never Forget’…

It is my sincerest hope that Farewell to the Trail Commemorative Challenge Coin #77 will be a reminder to Melvin’s family just how much he meant to so many people.

Melvin Wade
17 July 2024

We are not promised tomorrow, live life to the fullest, each and every day…

Never Forget



**rt

07/23/2024

19 July 2024

As many of you know by now, I had 100 personalized Farewell to the Trail Commemorative Challenge Coins made to be presented to select volunteers, sponsors, and VIPs of the Trail of Honor One of these was recently presented to Steve Grantham of JR Restaurant Group and Outback Steakhouse locations in Mississippi and Tennessee.

For those of you who know Steve, you already know what a True Patriot he is, and how much he regularly gives to the community.

I first met Steve when he began feeding the VIPs at the Trail of Honor. He would provide them with a hot meal during the day, as well as an evening meal if needed. I’ve worked with Steve over the years with several organizations and events, most recently the Mission Vigilant Golf Tournament held Friday 19 July, when Steve and Outback Steakhouse provided lunch to the golfers at the end of the tournament.

Steve has become a good friend and it is my honor to be able to present him with Farewell to the Trail Commemorative Challenge Coin #76, in honor of his continued Patriotism and support for our Veterans, Military, First Responders, and those that love them…

I challenge you all to find your Mission…

Freedom is Not Free

Never Forget



**rt

07/12/2024

2 July 2024

RED Friday

Remember
Everyone
Deployed

As many of you know by now, I had 100 personalized Farewell to the Trail Commemorative Challenge Coins made to be presented to select volunteers, sponsors, and VIPs of the Trail of Honor. One of these was presented to Ray Manzo.

In 1987, following a visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, Ray Manzo, Combat Veteran, USMC, Vietnam, sat down and started handwriting letter after letter and mailed them around the country. He had a vision, if not a calling, that the America people had to demand more be done to bring home our Prisoners of War and Missing in Action. His vision was one of a demonstration to be held in Washington DC over Memorial Day Weekend. This was NOT a Motorcycle Rally, this was a Demonstration of the unified voices of American Veterans, Families, and Patriots to Demand a Proper Accounting of Our Missing.

In May of 1988, this vision became a reality when Memorial Day Weekend found thousands converging on Washington DC with a unified voice.

While Ray was never been able to attend the Trail of Honor, his Mission drove the creation of Run For The Wall in 1989, and in turn, the Trail of Honor began when RFTW Southern Route stopped in Jackson MS in May of 2000.

Know the history…

3 Motorcycle ‘related’ events; Missions, not Rallies!

Ray and Eunice have become good friends, and it is my honor to be able to present Ray Manzo, Founder of Rolling Thunder with Farewell to the Trail Commemorative Challenge Coin #88, in honor of his Mission and the first Rolling Thunder held in 1988.

A Demonstration, not a rally…

A Mission, not a rally…

…find your Mission

Until they all come home…

Never Forget



**rt