You can always count on Corvette owners to answer the call. Whether it’s helping out with parades, working with local charities, or in this case, providing a patriotic escort.
Winston Whitlock is a member of Marietta, Georgia’s Classic Glass Corvette Club. He not only took these photos but also wrote the article as well. Well done, Winston, and thank you for answering the call!
“Greatest Generation” Meets The Governor
Members of the Classic Glass Corvette Club are always willing to show off our cars. After all, the Corvette IS “America’s sports car!”
On Monday, August 24th, Tom Wilder, a Classic Glass Corvette Club member, Veteran, and a retired Georgia State representative asked if any members would be willing to escort USA Corporal Sydney Walton on his 750-mile journey from Atlanta to Lansing, MI.
Oh, by the way, Mr. Walton is 101 years young and one of the few surviving members of “The Greatest Generation”. We met at the State Capitol in Atlanta and, after remarks by Governor Brian Kemp, a motorcade would escort Mr. Walton to the Georgia/Tennessee state line.
Don Bailey, president of Classic Glass Corvette Club, brought his dad Dick, who is 98 years old and also a member of “The Greatest Generation”.
As a Vietnam era Veteran, to be in the presence of such distinguished gentlemen was truly an honor.
Police Escort To The State Line
If meeting members of “The Greatest Generation” wasn’t enough, The Atlanta Police escorted us to the city limits with a “rolling blockade” similar to what the President receives. All entrance ramps from the State Capitol to the Atlanta city limits were blocked as we moved north.
The Georgia State Patrol was in “the package” (United States Secret Service term!) and took over the rolling blockade to the Tennessee border!
One can see Chaz & Gael Cone’s C6 Corvette with the Atlanta Police Department behind them blocking traffic using a rolling blockade.
We’re going up I-75 with NO TRAFFIC…anywhere. It’s too bad you can’t see the number of “blue lights” in front and back of the motorcade!
It was impressive! It’s a little bit eerie with no other traffic on the otherwise busy Interstate 75!
Moses Parts The Red Sea
The Georgia State Patrol kept the speed up and as we progressed North towards the state line, traffic was allowed to occupy the other lanes but the State Patrol escort kept anyone from moving into the motorcade. In many of the towns along the Interstate, local police, and sheriff departments blocked the entrance ramps while the motorcade passed.
It is amazing what a huge amount of blue lights do to open traffic jams! I kinda felt like watching Moses part the Red Sea!
It was a LONG day but well worth it! Those of us who participated in the motorcade plan to write the Mayor of Atlanta, Commander of The Georgia State Patrol, and the Atlanta Police Department for taking their time and expense to honor these gentlemen!
Thank You Winston & CGCC!
Events like these showcase the positive efforts of caring, patriotic Corvette clubs like Class Glass have in our community. In the future, we hope to share more stories of the impact Atlanta Corvette clubs are having in the metro area.
We also want to take a moment and thank the men and women of the Georgia State Capitol Police, The Atlanta Police Department and the Georgia State Patrol for their assistance. Once again, a special thanks to Winston Whitlock for documenting this event and for CGCC stepping up to answer the call.
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