BY MIKE FUHRMAN

A small crowd gathered at Purple Heart Homes on Memorial Day to commemorate the beginning of a journey to repatriate a World War II veteran’s service medals.

A handful of motorcycle riders who are delivering the service medals, including two Purple Hearts and two Silver Stars, awarded to Coy William to his relatives in Los Angeles, California, began their cross-country mission about 10 a.m. in Statesville. They were joined for the first leg of the journey by members of Patriot Guard. Other veterans groups are expected to participate in the ride over the next eight days.

Kim and Roger Siegrist embarked on a quest to reunite the medals with Goins’ family two years ago after Kim found them for sale in an antique shop.

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