Never forget the sacrifices made
JULIE POLLOCK ELLIOTT PHOTO
A sense of brotherhood is evident from this group of 6 Marines that traveled from across the US to spend the weekend in Versailles. Pictured from left with current location: Joey Durigon-Tennessee, Brian Zinser-Colorado, Ethan Englehardt-Ohio, Chris Grant-Texas, Jimmy Atha-Kentucky, and Trevette Gann-Georgia. Durigon, Atha, and Gann served in Afghanistan alongside Bishop in 2010.
“Even if saving you sends me to heaven.” Simple words have poignant meaning when encircled around the photo of Marine Cpl. John Bishop that is displayed on the shirts designed for the 14th Annual John C. Bishop Memorial Ride that was held last Saturday, Sept 7.
For the past 14 years, the weekend following Labor Day, is dedicated to honoring the memory, service and sacrifice of Marine Cpl. John C. Bishop who was killed in action on Sept. 8, 2010 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations. Bishop was on his first tour to Afghanistan after serving two tours in Iraq and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Marine Expeditionary Force.
Having many family members in Ripley County, Bishop also made his home in Versailles for a period of time. Bishop was a Junior at South Ripley High School in 2001 when the tragic events of September 11th shocked our Nation and he went on to join the Marines after graduating in 2003.
A group of individuals- ranging anywhere from- strangers to classmates, friends to family members to Legionnaires and fellow Marines, some from across the United States, can be found at the Versailles American Legion Park from Friday through Sunday each year. The weekend is spent celebrating Bishop’s life and keeping his memory alive-as well as other fallen heros- and retaining a unique feeling of unity by those who were close to Bishop. A display of love and respect are compassionately shown by the core group of individuals who stay committed to continuing the weekend of events each year.
A memorial ride is held on Saturday as part of the weekend events in which motorcycles, jeeps or any other vehicles are welcomed to participate. The 14th Annual John C. Bishop Memorial Ride started at the Versailles Legion Park with the first stop being at Cpl. Bishop’s gravesite located at Cliff Hill Cemetery in Versailles where many paid tribute by also including some of Bishop’s favorites. The next stop on the ride included the Osgood American Legion, a stop in New Alsace, and a stop at the home of the Linda Seig, mother of PFC Anthony P. Seig. PFC Seig, of Sunman, was killed in action on Sept. 9, 2006 in Baghdad, Iraq and was assigned to the 16th Military Police Brigade, based at Fort Bragg, N.C. The ride concluded at the Leora Weare American Legion Post 173 in Versailles.
The late Gene Bishop (Bishop’s father), initiated a meeting with his son and Marine Veteran and Post 173 Legionnaire, Sugo Castner. The two met after Bishop returned home from boot camp in 2003 and Bishop became a member of the Leora Weare American Legion Post 173. Bishop was, and still remains, the first active duty member of the Leora Weare post to be killed while on active duty. The post was established in 1919.
Marine Veteran and Legionnaire of Post 173, Steve Scoggins, spends time behind the scenes preparing the legion park for the weekend. The weekend honoring Cpl. Bishop is one that Scoggins takes seriously. Scoggins has attended 13 of the 14 years.
The memorial ride was led by the Patriot Guard and members of The Infamous Few took the task of blocking intersections for the convoy throughout the day.
Plans for the 2025 ride are already in the works. According to Bart Cole of The Warrior Reunion Foundation, the foundation will be supporting the ride next year. They met the Bishop Family (Tyson Bishop, John’s brother and Sarah Thomas, John’s mother) in 2019 and look forward to working with the family to plan the 15th year reunion which will be held Sept. 5-7, 2025. More information regarding next years ride will be provided as received.
Relatives of Bishop and members of the USMC have described Bishop as having a great sense of humor and being a jokester. But he was also known for always being quick to show his professionalism and get down to business when there was work to be done. Cpl. Bishop always stood up for what he believed in. It also wasn’t uncommon for Cpl. Bishop’s leadership to come to him for advice and direction due to his extensive military knowledge.
A story told by Benjamin Long, who served alongside Cpl. Bishop in Afghanistan, clearly portrays Bishop’s character and the way others felt when around him. While in Afghanistan, “Billy Bob” was the call sign for Cpl. Bishop. The children in the villages of Afghanistan around where the soldiers were located were naturally drawn to Bishop and when the Marines walked through the villages and the children saw the group of men coming, they would all call out “Billy Bob!” and surround Bishop. They would ask him for water or pens and pencils so they could write or draw. After the events of Sept. 8, 2010, when the village children didn’t locate Cpl. Bishop in the group of soldiers walking through for the first time they were confused. The interpreter shared with the children what had happened. The children that looked up to the Marine broke down in tears after learning of Cpl. Bishop’s passing.
Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” In honor of Cpl. John Christian Bishop, may his heroic actions and sacrifice never be silenced but be remembered valiantly forever.
