Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association
Founded, 1959 -- The nation’s oldest Civil War battlefield preservation organization
P.O. Box 4087, Gettysburg, PA 17325
www.gbpa.org
NEWS RELEASE
Monuments ride to memorialize long-time Gettysburg supporter
`
June 4, 2015 – The annual Pennsylvania A.B.A.T.E. Ride to Gettysburg on Sept. 26 will
memorialize more than the soldiers of the North and South that fought and died in the 1863 battle.
For 13 years, Jennifer LeVan and her husband Dave have been major supporters of the
annual A.B.A.T.E. (Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward
Education) trek from the state Capitol in Harrisburg to
their Battlefield Harley-Davidson business in Gettysburg.
The rides have raised better than $150,000 over the
years to benefit the Pennsylvania Gettysburg
Monuments Project and the preservation of GBPA’s
historic Daniel Lady Farm. .
The LeVans treated the bikers, usually several hundred, to a chicken barbecue, music and a
recognition ceremony.
Cancer felled “Jen” LeVan in February. This September’s 15th annual
Ride to Gettysburg will be dedicated to her memory.
The Pennsylvania Gettysburg Monuments Project was begun by state
Rep. Harry Readshaw, D-Allegheny, in 1997 to repair and maintain the more
than 140 monuments and markers commemorating the actions of
Pennsylvanians at the epic 1863 battle.
A commemorative t-shirt featuring a photograph of Jen will be on sale
for the ride. All proceeds from the t-shirt sales will go to the Gettysburg
Battlefield Trust Fund. The endowment was created in 2003 to provide a
perpetual fund for periodic cleaning for each of the Pennsylvania monuments
and markers to ensure they stand for many generations to come.
“Jennifer LeVan was dedicated to the preservation of Gettysburg’s
legacy and the betterment of today’s Gettysburg community and its
people,” said GBPA president Barb Mowery. “Through her spirit and
generosity, she has become part of that great legacy.”
The ride marshals for the September run will be state Reps.
Bryan Barbin, D-Cambria/Somerset, and Mark Keller, RCumberland/Perry
Ride information and registration can be obtained at
www.abatepa.org.
The GBPA has a website at www.gbpa.org. ###
Contact: Barb Mowery at (717) 891-6369
Captions for photo attachments:
1. Jennifer S. LeVan
2. Jennifer S. LeVan memorial t-shirt that will benefit Gettysburg monuments preservation.
3. Ride to Gettysburg participants line-up adjacent to the state Capitol in Harrisburg.