July 25, 2018 – West Bend, WI – On July 28th, a very unique experience will occur at the Boltonville Fire Station, located to the west of Highways 144 and 28. The 6th Annual American Tribute Ride (ATR) which will be starting at the Forest Junction Fire Station will be coming to an end in Boltonville, WI. According to the ATR Committee “the convoy of approximately 200 motorcycles should arrive at the station around 4:45 pm arriving from the north on Boltonville Road.”
The First Responders that died in the Line of Duty to be honored this year will be:
FIREFIGHTER
Firefighter/Retired Chief Terrance E. Shafer; Spring Valley Fire Department; DOD 2/25/2017
Firefighter/EMT Matt Deicher; Mosinee Fire and Ambulance; DOD 9/23/2017 as a result of an ambulance crash on 7/31/2003
Firefighter /Paramedic Richard L. Garner Jr.; City of Madison Fire Department; DOD; 04-01-2018;
Firefighter Philip H. Neubich; Spooner Fire District; DOD 04-25-2018
EMERGENY MEDICAL
Air Methods Pilot Rico Caruso; Ascension Spirit; DOD 4/26/2018
Flight Paramedic Greg Rosenthal; Ascension Spirit; DOD 4/26/2018
Flight Nurse Klint Mitchell; Ascension Spirit; DOD 4/26/2018
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Police Officer Charles Irvine, Jr.; Milwaukee Police Department; DOD 6/7/2018
At the Boltonville Fire Station there will be a Memorial service to honor and remember those that have made the Supreme Sacrifice serving our communities and country. Pastor Andrew Jones of Still Waters UMC Community Church and Reverend David Schlieter of New Horizons UCC will assist in paying tribute with a brief recognition ceremony along with Gina Crossley, a traditional bagpiper who will be a part of the tribute to our “hometown heroes.”
According to Dennis Grover, a member of the ATR Committee, there will be a special balloon release and dedication of this year’s ride to honor a long-time committee member, Bruce Bintzler (photo, left) who passed away in October.
Ron Naab, chair of the committee said recently, “Our fundraising ride will include 2, 3, and 4-wheel vehicles traveling from Forest Junction Fire Station to the Town of Calumet Fire Station in Pipe, on to Plymouth Town Fire Station. The next stop is at the Waldo Memorial Center with the ride ending up at the Boltonvile Fire Station on July 28, 2018.” He went on to say, “The ride is escorted and speeds are controlled to provide the safest environment for all participating.”
This is the Sixth Annual ride the ATR Committee has developed and will be operating. Each year the ride course is different, moving around the southern area of Wisconsin. Naab went on to say, “We encourage the public to greet us with flags and waves as we travel through area, especially in the villages we will pass through. It is very humbling to see people support us as we honor those that have unselfishly given their lives serving others.”
A memorial service will be followed by a “pay in advance” meal. The public is invited to attend any of our stops, especially the Memorial Service at Boltonville.
Following the memorial ceremony there will be a meal with advance sale tickets only and a live auction that the public is invited to participate in. Visit the ATR website HERE to view pictures of a few of the very special items that will be available to bid on. Tickets are available at www.americantributeride.com or by contacting Ron Naab.
The proceeds raised from this very unique fundraiser supports a number of entities—Wisconsin Summer Camp for Burn Injured Youth, Stars and Stripes Honor Flights, Veterans Housing and Recovery Program at King Veterans Center, Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial, and Concerns of Police Survivors-Wisconsin.
For those that wish to partake in the ride you may preregister at the American Tribute Ride website (www.americantributeride.com) or on Facebook for forms and information. For further questions, please contact Ron Naab (262-629-9749) or email: rjnaab@frontier.com, or Barb Pahl, email: atride1@yahoo.com.