Pete Seville shows his true colors everyday
By PAT FRIDGEN Echo Pilot

Pete Seville is set to make another charity ride, this time to help the Greencastle-Antrim community establish a veteran's memorial.

Everyone has seen him. That guy in red, white and blue pedaling a bicycle around Greencastle.

Though his attire and method of transportation wouldn't work for most people, they suit Pete Seville just fine.

Now 46, he adopted his lifestyle when he was about 17.

"There's no big story," he said. He just likes the patriotic colors, though he did admit with a grin that motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel, who often wore the same colors, was an inspiration.

Traveling by bicycle was his choice. He never sought a driver's license, but that hasn't stopped him from getting where he wants to go.

Since moving permanently to Greencastle in 2000, Seville has been able to bike to work and is currently employed at Food Lion Distribution Center. When he wants to get away for awhile, he goes wherever the fancy strikes. Chambersburg. Hagerstown. Gettysburg.

On a trip to Washington DC someone took a picture of him and put it on a poster that included President George W. Bush. He received copies.

"That was neat." Several times he has ridden for charity and plans to do so again in commemoration of Sept. 11. In a repeat from last year, he will do an anniversary ride to Shanksville, the site of the downed United Flight 93 in 2001. Seville plans to leave Sept. 10 and be there by the 11th.

He is raising money for the Greencastle-Antrim Veteran's Memorial Fund.

"I like riding around anyway, so it's nothing new," said Seville. "I want to do the ride in honor of the veterans that died in the service."

American Legion Post 373 and VFW Post 6319 are joining forces to construct a Veteran's Memorial around the current monument at borough hall. They hope to have it completed by November 2008.

Organizers expect the project will cost over $40,000. Seville will do his part. Any donations on behalf of the memorial may be dropped off at First National Bank of Greencastle, the Legion or the VFW.

He gets attention

Seville acknowledged that his clothing attracts attention. Some people tell him he inspires them. Many have had their photo taken with him in his journeys.

Other people make critical remarks as he passes.

"Sometimes I take offense," he said. "Not too many people like to wear red, white and blue everyday."

Occasionally the negative comments are directed at the United States or the military.

"If people would go to check other countries overseas they may have a different opinion about the USA," he said. "A lot don't realize how good they have it here."

Seville is always on the lookout for clothing to meet his standards, and often finds good buys at Goodwill, including a silk Tommy Hilfiger shirt.

When it is time to head down the road, he has his choice of four multi-gear bicycles. The latest purchase is now navy blue and his pal does not want him to decorate it. However, Seville is mulling it over and may take a different tact, perhaps going with an eagle theme.

He is a fixture in area parades. He and his ex-wife have two sons and he used to take the boys on rides. They once won a prize in a Waynesboro parade. He also participated in the June 4 Operation: God Bless America ride to the VA hospital in Martinsburg. The other participants rode motorcycles but he got there safely under foot power, though soaking wet from the morning's rain.

He recently rescued a torn flag from the truck stop. Since it was too big to attach to his bike, he had it repaired and drycleaned and donated it to the American Legion.

Seville is also a prolific letterwriter. He sends letters to the editors of area newspapers on a regular basis. He said he likes to speak up on behalf of veterans, but he does broach other subjects.

"Sometimes the words I use, I might offend some people."

Coming home

Once in a while Seville returns to his hometown of Mc- Connellsburg.

"Going over the mountain is a workout," he said.

He and his three brothers grew up with their grandparents in the country. They had no electricity and no running water.

"My grandfather wanted to live that way," he explained.

His cousins were in the military, one of the reasons he likes to show his patriotic spirit. As he rides the highways and byways, he listens to music, including favorite songs 'Some Gave All' by Billy Ray Cyrus and 'Where the Stars and Stripes and Eagle Fly' by Aaron Tippin.

After every ride, there is a time to come home.

"I'm glad to get back," he said. "It's always good to be back on the home front. Greencastle is a nice place."