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22ndcenturymedia
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8 | March 26, 2020 | the mokena messenger News mokenamessengerdaily.com NL native making motorcycle trip around the world Sean Hastings Contributing Editor David Smith, a New Lenox native and 2010 graduate of Lincoln-Way Central, has known he wanted to do a big trip and adventure since he was in the academy. And when he was active duty, he would lay in his bunk and dream of what that trip would be. The trip was going to be on a motorcycle. Some of the inspiration came from a book from the ’70s called “Jupiter’s Travels.” Just a few years later, that trip has begun. Smith embarked on his motorcycle March 4 from “his backyard” in Washington D.C., where he currently lives. The plan has been in the works for three years. “There’s so many different facets,” Smith said. “What type of motorcycle do I want? And what do I want to bring? I didn’t Pictured is the map of David Smith’s route. want to bring too much because I have to carry it on the bike. I wanted to launch from New Lenox. I thought it would be poetic. But when I was getting discharged and the time of year, I didn’t want to push it off.” The trip is to help raise awareness for veteran suicide. He said that every duty station he was at, there was some form of self harm or suicide. He is teaming up with Vets4Warriors.com. “I didn't hear about them when I was active duty,” Smith said. “I think there are a lot of people who could [benefit] from hearing about them. There are a lot of people in my network who are active duty.” Smith, himself, got out of the military Nov. 1. He served as a Navy Officer and graduated from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis with a degree in mechanical engineering in 2014 Smith is giving himself 12-18 months to finish the entire trip. In planning his trip, Smith said he spent more time planning in the other counties since he is not as familiar. In the United States, he said he has it planned out, but also dropped pins on places he wanted to see and “connected the dots.” The support he has received is far more than what he expected. “I’ve been completely blown away by the response people have given me,” he said. “It’s been 1,000 times more than what I expected. People I haven't talked to in years have reached out. The guy I stayed with in Charleston, South Carolina, just posted an Instagram story saying it's cool to see someone pony up and go do their dream. People have been sharing stuff, too.” At first, Smith did not think the coronavirus was going to hinder his trip too much, but the last couple weeks ended up doing that. He said he has had to reroute around cities, but is still pushing forward Pictured is New Lenox native David Smith. Photos Submitted with the adventure. Once he makes his way across the U.S., he is shipping the bike to Australia where he will then ride across. He added that he has learned about the best way to take the trip across Australia and has had friends, and friends of friends, reach out to him and offer a place to stay while he is out there. Smith’s father, Dave Smith Sr., plans to join his son on the Mumbai leg of the trip. “This is huge,” Smith Sr. said. “I’m extremely proud of the boy. He is an amazing individual. He has not failed on anything he’s wanted to do.” Smith Sr. has never had a chance to ride with his son. He gave it up when Smith was 1 or 2 years old. For those interested in following along with his trip, follow him on Instagram @westwardmoto or at westwardmoto.com. At press time, he was in Texas. “It happened fast. It’s really crazy to see something go from when I was in deployment daydreaming. I felt like the guy from Forrest Gump starting the shrimp company,” he said with a laugh. “It’s starting to materialize and now I’m on the road, it’s been awesome.” lwsra From Page 6 That LWSRA participant then attended a Shamrock Shuffle event March 6 at the Orland Park Civic Center, spending 20 minutes around 6 p.m. at the LWSRA facility. HIRING Then, on March 8 the participants attended a Chicago Wolves game, as part of an LWSRA program, during which the group sat in Section 116; Rows P, Q and R; Seats 1-7. And on March 9, the individual was part of an LWSRA program at Thunderbowl in Mokena. LWSRA said the bowling alley also was notified. According to the participant’s family, the individual did not show symptoms of COVID-19 until March 12, and LWSRA said it was not aware at that time. Need help staffing your business or finding volunteers during this time of need? WE’RE HERE TO HELP! Reach out to our Recruitment Team today to get help FAST. (708) 326-9170 ext. 46 • n.pavlina@22ndcenturymedia.com The person tested positive for the coronavirus at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago, as previously reported. On March 13, the association said it canceled programs, and cleaned buses and vehicles, unaware that an individual was infected but to address growing coronavirus concerns. LWSRA received notice of the positive coronavirus test on March 16. It closed the Lincolnway Special Recreation Center that day, according to the letter, and staff started to notify people. LWSRA confirmed in the letter that the participant was on buses, which were sanitized after the March 6 and March 8 events. Daily sanitizing started March 13 in an effort to be “proactive,” according to LWSRA. The organization said no one on its staff has been experiencing symptoms. The letter also notes the participant did not take part in a March 9 lunch, but was on the bus the day prior to that program going out. It also notes LWSRA moved a polling place and canceled a board meeting “in the best interest of the community.” The Q&A adds that LWSRA will not provide participant information, but anyone who thinks their children have directly contacted the individual should self-isolate for 14 days and monitor for symptoms. The letter also suggests notifying one’s primary care physician if symptoms develop. LWSRA’s building and buses are to be cleaned and sanitized the week of March 27. The LWSRA is a nonprofit organization that serves those with mental and physical disabilities through athletic, social and educational programming. LWSRA programming is suspended through April 5, and its offices until March 30, in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Publisher Joe Coughlin contributed to the reporting of this article.

mokenamessengerdaily.com mokena the mokena messenger | March 26, 2020 | 9

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the mokena messenger | March 26, 2020 | 9

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