La Grange in Oldham County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Oldham County History Center

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 30, 2023

1. Oldham County History Center Marker

Inscription.

Oldham County History Center. . Road Warrior Sculpture , This sculpture represents Oldham County native and world war two veteran, Dr. E. Bruce Heilman (1926-2019). When Bruce Heilman turned 86 he circled the lower 48 states on his Marine issue Harley, traveling 9,200 miles to bring recognition to world war two veterans. On his 88th birthday, he rode from Richmond, Virginia to Alaska and on his 90th birthday in 2016 he rode from Richmond to the west coast to celebrate Gold Star families. Heilman was the spokesperson for the Greatest Generation Foundation, which pays tribute to the 16,000,000 veterans, living and dead, of World War II.
, Bruce was in the Battle of Okinawa and was one of the first troops that landed on the beaches of Japan, after the nuclear bombs hit Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Throughout the years he traveled all over the world, giving speeches and inspiring youth groups about the sacrifices of world war two veterans in winning the war and preserving democracy. With the G.I. Bill, Heilman received a college degree from Campbellsville College. Dr. Heilman was the past president of the University of Richmond and served as Chancellor until his death. The statue honors Bruce as well as the sacrifices of veterans and Gold Star families., Wyatt Gragg was the sculptor for the Heilman piece that Gragg appropriately named, The Road Warrior. “I am such a Harley Davidson aficionado. I know how the bike feels, what it feels like to ride. I admire Dr. Heilman and what he has done on his bike, especially at his age. The challenge of putting a rider on his Harley was the hook for me – it just hasn't been done. And it will be interactive – people can ‘hop on’ for a ride with Dr. Heilman. It will be a great photo op.”, Veterans Oral History Project and world war two Collection – In 2002, the Oldham County History Center began recording world war two Veterons in a partnership with the Library of Congress. These interviews are now digitized online with the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries. In addition to the recordings, the History Center has an unusual collection of artifacts from local world war two veterans that tell the story of their service. To learn more, visit the Oldham County History Center website or museum., Special thanks to the generosity of the Heilman Family

Road Warrior Sculpture — This sculpture represents Oldham County native and WWII veteran, Dr. E. Bruce Heilman (1926-2019). When Bruce Heilman turned 86 he circled the lower 48 states on his Marine issue Harley, traveling 9,200 miles to bring recognition to WWII veterans. On his 88th birthday, he rode from Richmond, Virginia to Alaska and on his 90th birthday in 2016 he rode from Richmond to the west coast to celebrate Gold Star families. Heilman was the spokesperson for the Greatest Generation Foundation, which pays tribute to the 16,000,000 veterans, living and dead, of World War II.

Bruce was in the Battle of Okinawa and was one of the first troops that landed on the beaches of Japan, after the nuclear bombs hit Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Throughout the years he traveled all over the world, giving speeches and inspiring youth groups about the sacrifices of WWII veterans in winning the war and preserving democracy. With the G.I. Bill, Heilman received a college degree from Campbellsville College. Dr. Heilman was the past president of the University of Richmond and served as Chancellor until his death. The statue honors Bruce as well as the sacrifices of veterans and Gold Star families.

Wyatt Gragg was the sculptor for the Heilman piece that Gragg appropriately named, The Road Warrior. “I am such a Harley

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Davidson aficionado. I know how the bike feels, what it feels like to ride. I admire Dr. Heilman and what he has done on his bike, especially at his age. The challenge of putting a rider on his Harley was the hook for me – it just hasn't been done. And it will be interactive – people can ‘hop on’ for a ride with Dr. Heilman. It will be a great photo op.”

Veterans Oral History Project and WWII Collection – In 2002, the Oldham County History Center began recording WWII Veterons in a partnership with the Library of Congress. These interviews are now digitized online with the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries. In addition to the recordings, the History Center has an unusual collection of artifacts from local WWII veterans that tell the story of their service. To learn more, visit the Oldham County History Center website or museum.

Special thanks to the generosity of the Heilman Family

Erected by National Park Service • National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Charity & Public Work • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Gold Star Families, and the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 2002.

Location.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 30, 2023

2. Oldham County History Center Marker

38° 24.484′ N, 85° 22.828′ W. Marker is in La Grange, Kentucky, in Oldham County. Marker is at the intersection of North 2nd Avenue and West Jefferson Street (Kentucky Route 146), on the left when traveling north on North 2nd Avenue. Marker is on the grounds of the Oldham County History Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 106 N 2nd Ave, La Grange KY 40031, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Oldham County History Center (within shouting distance of this marker); James and Amanda Mount Home / J.C. Barnett Library and Archives (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Oldham County History Center (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Oldham County History Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Oldham County, 1824 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); William Berry Taylor of Spring Hill (about 300 feet away); Colonel William Oldham (about 400 feet away); Funk Seminary Site (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in La Grange.

<i>The Road Warrior</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 30, 2023

3. The Road Warrior

Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 63 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 13, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.