Josh Davis bikers ride to Freedom Rock after flag pole ceremony

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The family of Josh Davis of Perry were joined by members of the Josh Davis Memorial Poker Run Committee and other local supporters at the Freedom Rock near Menlo Monday for a Memorial Day tribute to the fallen hero. Photo courtesy Jeff Collins
The family of Josh Davis of Perry was joined by members of the Josh Davis Memorial Poker Run Committee and other local supporters at the Freedom Rock near Menlo Monday for a Memorial Day tribute to the fallen hero. Photo courtesy Jeff Collins

Dave Davis, father of U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Josh Davis of Perry, led a brief flag pole dedication about midday Monday under cloudless skies at the Josh Davis Plaza in downtown Perry.

“We would like to dedicate this flag pole to the people of Perry, Iowa,” Davis said. “I hope, as we all see it as we pass by, we will be reminded of how great this flag and what it symbolizes is and remember the cost of flying the flag proudly is paid for by people like Josh.” He then led the crowd in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

About 50 committee members and other local supporters gathered to honor Davis Monday before setting off on the 50-mile ride to the Freedom Rock near Menlo. Members of the Davis family were joined at the rock by Freedom Rock painter Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II.

This year's Freedom Rock features the name of U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Josh Davis of Perry, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2010. Photo courtesy Tina Sass Henry
This year’s Freedom Rock features the name of U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Josh Davis of Perry, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2010. Photo courtesy Tina Sass Henry

Sorensen included Lance Cpl. Davis’ name in one of the rock’s pictures this year. Davis, a 2009 graduate of Perry High School, was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2010. He was 19 when killed.

The new pole was raised Thursday, May 20 in the southeast corner of the memorial plaza. A formal ceremony is planned for June 11 at 5 p.m. as part of the Perry Elks Lodge 407 Flag Day activities, according to Jeff Collins of Perry, a member of the Josh Davis Memorial Poker Run Committee.  Boy Scout Troop 127 of Perry will also be involved, he said. The event is free and open to the public.

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