Kentucky town dedicates statue to “Motorcycle Man” World War II veteran
LA GRANGE, KY (BIKER DAD)–A small Kentucky town now has a big monument for a local legend and veteran advocate. A large statue of a man on a motorcycle now sits in from of the Oldham County History Center in Lagrange. Perched on the bike with an ear-to-ear smile is the bronze figure of Bruce Heilman. The World War II veteran and college professor was famous in his small hometown for loving his Harley and crossing the country on the bike to advocate for veterans.
“As we dedicate this statue, the road warrior, let it stand as a reminder of why we are free and let us never forget,” Terry Heilman Sylvester, Bruce Heilman’s daughter, said at the dedication ceremony for the Road Warrior Statue according to the Oldham Era.
The dedication Saturday included a motorcycle procession led by someone riding his bike. The 93-year-old veteran thought he would make it to the dedication, but died in October of 2019. The statute and the celebration were delayed several times due to COVID-19. But finally dozens of bikers and tons of townsfolk came out to celebrate.
People who attended were also given a commemorative “do-rag” in honor of the one the WWII vet was known to wear.