The 8th annual Sgt. John M. Penich Memorial Poker Run will be held Saturday to raise money for veterans and honor the Beach Park native who died in Afghanistan in 2008.
The event, which will include motorcycles and vehicles, will stop at various bars throughout Lake County and Wisconsin.
Penich’s mother, Kathy Penich Garross, said her son was always worried about his men. After the squad leader died, his family started a fund “to keep taking care of his boys,” Garross said.
“The poker run is a lot of fun, and John always loved to have a party,” she said. “He was a 6-foot 2-inch, 250-pound gentle giant. He was so much fun.”
Penich earned a bronze star, two silver stars and was honored as Soldier of the Year, his mother said. He hoped to return to school after his tour of duty to eventually become a general, she said.
The poker run starts at 9 a.m. from the Stone Creek Grill in Winthrop Harbor and costs $15 per driver and $10 per rider. The first stop is Mount Olivet Memorial Park in Zion, where participants will place flags on Penich’s grave, she said.
From there, the group will go to Masons Pub & Eatery in Kenosha, Wisc., and then lunch at Captains Quarters in Antioch. The next stop is a saloon in Kansasville, Wisc. then the American Legion Post 21 in Kenosha before ending back at Stone Creek Grill in Winthrop Harbor.
Over the years the event helped purchase 12 service dogs for veterans.
All the proceeds from the poker run on Saturday go into the memorial fund for future projects.
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