Always Faithful to His Brothers: George Colburn

EAST PEORIA — George Colburn once enlisted in the United States Marines and served in a war. That was more than twenty years ago, but regardless of the passing of time, he is now and forever will be a Marine. Now, he serves his country by being there for those that need him most, fellow veterans.

After he graduated Peoria’s Manual High School in 1986, Colburn didn’t hesitate to join the Marines. He saw it as a way to move on to a better environment.

“I grew up in the South End of Peoria,” said Colburn. “It was either join the military or join a gang and be incarcerated by now, which are what my options were.”

After two years, he was got out of active service only to go back in less than a year later for Operation Desert Storm. When he was finally discharged in 1991, he came back to Peoria to try and adjust back into civilian life. He did it, but he wouldn’t tell you that it was easy.

He has worked for several companies since his tours of duty, but now he is focusing on his studies back here at Illinois Central College. He still makes time though for his favorite veterans’ group, the Leathernecks Motorcycle Club.

Colburn got involved with the Leathernecks a couple of years ago after getting his first motorcycle. He wasn’t sure whether a motorcycle club was for him, but when he met the members, he immediately felt a brotherhood because all of them were Marines.

The Lethernecks don’t get much good publicity because of the negative stereotype that accompanies motorcycle clubs, but Colburn said that their club doesn’t approve of any of the violent actions of some other clubs. The Leathernecks have more philanthropic motives–holding veteran fundraisers in cooperation with local businesses and organizations.

“But no one hears about that,” said Colburn. “They hear about bikers beating up people in New York. They see these guys on these crotch-rockets terrorizing highways. That’s not us. That’s never been what any of the true bikers do. True bikers … they just want to ride. They don’t go out to cause trouble.”

The Leathernecks partner with local institutions to hold events that raise funds for Toys for Tots, the Wounded Warrior Project, and other veteran or community causes, and they always raise money–even if it’s from themselves.

“It’s just one of those deals where we don’t care to make a profit. If we’re in the hole, we would much rather be in the hole and have [the money] come out of our own pocket because we know what it’s going to,” said Colburn.

The chemistry of this unique group of veterans has helped Colburn to find stability, even this long after his time of service.

“Yeah I’ve earned the title of Marine and no one can ever take that away from me, but once you’re out, there’s no Marines. So you lose that; there’s an emptiness, and the Leathernecks actually filled that emptiness that I had–where there’s now somebody that I can count on like family.”

Now he would like to see ICC help returning vets get this sort of social medication. He would like to see ICC offer free group counseling classes for returning veterans, where they could reconcile their conflicts while also learning of their college options.

“You just came from a place where people are shooting at you daily and you’ve seen things that no person should ever have to see, and you come back here with no true assistance,” said Colburn. “The government doesn’t help and there’s no place to go for these guys to go and punch a punching bag or talk to somebody who actually understands [what you’ve gone through]. That’s where ICC could help.”