Bikers drive monuments in Saugus

SAUGUS – Greg Domey and his team at Sin City Cycles and J & M Italian-American Cuisine have reached their goal to install two war monuments.The team raised more than $8,000 to install a global war on terror monument and a Vietnam War veterans memorial monument in Saugus Center.The memorial is part of Saugus Veterans Wall Park, which will feature the Civil War (donated by the Saugus Lion?s Club); Spanish American War; World War I (Saugus Rotary Club); World War II (Sonny?s Glass); Korean War (installed); Persian Gulf and Cold War (both Army Barracks).Sin City Cycles will fund the Vietnam War, and J & M Italian-American Cuisine will sponsor the global war on terror. They will be arranged in a linear formation beside the existing Korean War monument.?We covered all expenses, including the stones, which cost $4,000 each,” Domey said. “It?s an honor to organize this project along with Donna Russo, of Everything?s Hair, and Mary Lee. It?s important to shed light on these things to inspire others to be involved.”Although he isn?t a veteran, Domey explained he feels a connection to Vietnam since he grew up in that era. The conflict in Vietnam began soon after World War II ended, but it was escalated during the Lyndon B. Johnson administration, especially after the Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964. It ended with the fall of Saigon in 1975.Domey?s brother served in the Navy in 1975, and his grandfather was a World War I veteran, also in the Navy.More than 400 people gathered for the fundraiser, which suggested an admission donation, and more than 200 bike riders were part of a procession in Saugus Center to show their support. They sold T-shirts reading “Support our troops” and “Proud American” to help defray costs.Domey said the cover will be taken off and the monuments will be installed Nov. 11, Veterans Day.Staff Sgt. Jose Murillo, who was deployed to Iraq three times and Afghanistan three times, feels a connection to the Middle Eastern wars. The wars include Desert Storm in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan.?It means a lot for us veterans that people come together and show their support,” Murillo said. “People are dedicated to keeping the tradition alive. Our country is the way it is because of our veterans.”As for as Vietnam, Murillo explained Vietnam veterans weren?t treated well when they first returned in the United States in the mid-?60s. But that isn?t the case today.?Today, people are more patriotic and open-minded,” Murillo said. “But we don?t ever want to lose the legacy.”The Delios family donated 50 dozen donuts and $1,000, but Domey said most guests donated about $20.