Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 10, 1991 TAG: 9102100265
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: BIG ROCK LENGTH: Short
Truckers also will throw money from their vehicles as they pass the Buchanan County courthouse. The money will be collected and donated to a local support group for people with family members in the military.
Organizers are asking anyone who has a family member serving in the war to gather in front of the courthouse. They also are encouraging family members to wear a name tag, indicating who in their family is serving.
The convoy follows a similar event last month when about 140 coal trucks, covering a 14-mile stretch, traveled through eastern Kentucky.
Many of the drivers in that convoy were from Virginia, and some Kentucky drivers are expected to return the favor in today's drive, which also goes through Tazewell County.
"I feel it is our community's place to show support, and this is our way of showing [military personnel] and their families that our prayers are with them," said Mary Justice, one organizer of the convoy.
Carter Lee Burke, who has a son serving in Saudi Arabia, is the organizer of the event, Justice said.
Trucks will line up at the Virginia-Kentucky state line at Big Rock and will travel through Grundy to Claypool Hill and then return to Big Rock.
Lineup will begin at 12:30 p.m., with the trip expected to last into this evening. In addition to coal trucks, other types of trucks such as wreckers and flatbeds are invited to participate.
by CNB