Local Hero Honored in South Riding

The Spirit of Liberty Foundation’s Crossing of America tour made an exclusive stop last Friday at Virginia Tire & Auto in South Riding to help the store honor a local hero, Sgt. Sean Callahan, 23.

Sgt. Callahan, a former Virginia Tire & Auto employee and Marine, was killed recently while conducting combat operations in southern Afghanistan.

“As Americans, it is easy to talk of ‘liberty’ and ‘freedom,’ but we are here today to help the Spirit of Liberty Foundation in its support of those in our country who defend these ideals every single day,” said Myron Boncarosky, Virginia Tire & Auto owner.

“The Virginia Tire & Auto family is greatly humbled and proud to have the Jeep tour stop at our store and are amazed by the Foundation’s daily dedication to reinforcing the meaning of American liberty for our nation’s citizens.”

During the opening ceremony, Boncarosky presented the Spirit of Liberty Foundation with a $1,000 donation check in honor of Sgt. Sean Callahan.

The Spirit of Liberty Foundation works tirelessly to support our Armed Forces and their families, with a focus on Wounded Warriors and the Families of Fallen Heroes. The Foundation began the Crossing of America tour to reinforce its all-important mission: to support and honor our troops and their families.

The event included a caravan that included the five Angel cars, two Spirit of Liberty Jeeps and several Virginia Tire & Auto vans. Each Angel car was emblazoned with the names of those who lost their lives on 9/11. 

The caravan rolled through South Riding where local residents honked their car horns and waved at the vehicles as they made their way through town to be greeted by a cheering crowd at Virginia Tire & Auto.

Sgt. Callahan’s mother, Jan Callahan, attended the commemorative ceremony, along with local delegates and officials, including , who recently won the Republican nomination for state senate, and Chairman Scott York, Chairman of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors.

The festivities continued throughout the day with free food and beverages, live entertainment and family fun activities, including a bounce house, balloon artist, racing simulator and two racecars on display.

The 12,700-mile Crossing of America tour began on May 27, 2011, aboard the deck of the USS Midway in San Diego Harbor, and it will conclude today, on the deck of the USS Intrepid in New York Harbor in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of 9/11.