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February 6, 2006

Special motorcylce dedicated to Marine killed in Iraq

By MARY KAYE DAVIS

mary.kaye@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Recognition of the sacrifice of a slain Marine from Jefferson County continued over the weekend as a local motorcycle dealership unveiled a custom bike constructed to honor him and others who died serving their country.

The unveiling of the tribute cycle, a modified 2006 soft-tail, was held Saturday afternoon at Dale’s Harley Davidson, and hundreds of people attended, including Lance Cpl. Jonathan Kyle Price’s family and his fiancee, Brea Tate. A fund raiser was held in conjunction with the unveiling.

Price, son of John and Cheryl Hunsell of Woodlawn, was killed Jan. 13 in Iraq by small-ammunition fire while he was guarding Marine engineers.

Rene Creed, vice president of Surdyke Cycles, explained that the building of the custom motorcycle to honor fallen soldiers was in the works at the time of Price’s death, but after learning of that death, the bike took on a special meaning. The bike was being produced for the business’s entry in the Bi-State Build-Off, which is a tribute to fallen soldiers.

“This bike is a tribute to all veterans, but it became a special tribute to Kyle, who was taken from us too soon,” Creed said.

Dale’s employee “Chopper” Chuck said about the only original equipment on the motorcycle is its gas tank and motor. Mike Lee of Fairfield did the memorial painting on the bike, which will be on display at the St. Louis Boat Show and then move on to the Build-Off competition.

“There are a lot of people in the shop who have been in the military, and once the ball started rolling on the bike, it took on its own life,” the employee said.

After hearing of the news of Price’s death and knowing the circumstances — how he was due to arrive home from Iraq in less than a month and that he was leaving behind a fiancee and a new baby — “we all wanted to do whatever we could for the family,” said Rebecca Waterkotte, general manager of Dale’s Harley Davidson.

Price’s family was emotionally moved by the tribute. His stepfather said the bike is a very fitting tribute to his son.

“Kyle was a motorcycle fanatic,” John Hunsell said. “He was going to buy one when he got back from the service. I wouldn’t let him have one in high school, so he always said he was going to buy one when he got back home.”

The family said they’re still overwhelmed and moved by the support the community has given them.

“A lot of people have done a lot for us ... people we knew and people we didn’t know,” said Price’s mother, Cheryl. “That includes people from across the United States.

“It means a lot to us, knowing that people know about the sacrifice that Kyle made.

“The honor of Kyle seems to just carry on, and this bike is just another honor; the honors just seem to keep on coming” said his mother. “Kyle would have been so proud.”

n Donations are still being accepted for a fund set up for Kyle and Brea’s daughter, who is to be born in March. Donations may be dropped off at the First National banks in Mt. Vernon, Ina and Woodlawn.

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fire fighter

National Guard Staff Sgt. Chris Heiken, who is also a Mt. Vernon Fire Department firefighter, shows his fellow firefighters the specs on a military tactical fire fighting truck like the one he will use when he is deployed to Afghanistan. Heiken and two other soldiers traveled to seven fire stations on Tuesday to show the truck.

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