Washington Co., WI – On Saturday, July 22, 2023, a very unique experience will be happening in Wood, Portage, & Waushara counties. According to the American Tribute Ride [ATR] Committee: A convoy of approximately 200+ motorcycles and other vehicles will leave at 11 a.m. from the Wisconsin Fire & EMS Memorial, Ben Hanson Park, 2031 2nd Ave S, Wisconsin Rapids, making their way to Rudoph Fire Station for a lunch stop.
There will be a short opening ceremony at the Wisconsin Fire & EMS Memorial [Ben Hanson Park on WI-73/54] starting at 10:30 am.
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The ride has a short opening ceremony that will include a dedication of the event to the 6 heroes that made the Ultimate Sacrifice:
- Harold Baum of the Hancock Fire Department died in the Line of Duty on March 26, 1946
- Police Officer Peter Jerving of the Milwaukee Police Department, died in the Line of Duty on February 7, 2023
- Chief Todd Yandre of the City of Lake Mills Fire, died in the Line of Duty on February 15. 2023
- Police Officer Hunter Scheel of the Cameron Police Department, died in the Line of Duty on February 9, 2023
- Police Officer Emily Breidenbach of the Chetek Police Department, died in the Line of Duty on February 9, 2023
- Deputy Kaitie Leising of the St. Croix County Sheriff Department died in the Line of Duty on May 6, 2023
Ron Naab, chair of the committee said recently, “Our fundraising ride will include 2, 3, or 4-wheel vehicles traveling from Wisconsin Fire & EMS Memorial to the Rudolph Fire Station, after passing by the Dick Trickle Memorial, stopping for lunch, then on to Amherst Fire District Station. The next stop is at the Wild Rose Fire Station with the Tribute Ride ending at the Hancock Community Center at 4:45 p.m. “We encourage SUVs and cars to join us,” said Naab, “The ride is escorted, and speeds are controlled to provide the safest environment for all participating.”
This is the 20th Annual ride the American Tribute Ride Committee has developed and will be operating. Each year the ride course is different moving around the southern area of Wisconsin. Dennis Grover, a committee member went on to say, “We encourage the public that is not in the ride to greet us as we travel through the 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.”
At the stops along the way, there will be a live auction of some very unique items that have been donated. Some items include computer bags and backpacks made from clean used firefighting clothing, patriotic diamond art pieces, and more.
The day will conclude with a Memorial Service to honor and remember those that have made the Supreme Sacrifice serving our communities and county. Veterans groups and firefighters/EMS personnel will be a part of the service. Families and fire departments have been invited to attend this program to remember their loved ones.
The 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 Hancock.
There is an opportunity for riders and the public to pay forward for a veteran to have dinner following the memorial service by “Adopting a Veteran” meal ticket for $10.00. To purchase a meal for a veteran, contact a firefighter or EMS person from one of those sites. The ATR Committee does ask for pre-registration/payment for the evening meal for those that would like to join the riders and veterans.
The money raised from this very unique fundraiser supports a number of entities—Wisconsin Summer Camp for Burn Injured Youth, Never Forget Honor Flights, Fischer House-Wisconsin, Wisconsin State Fire and EMS Memorial, Concerns of Police Survivors-Wisconsin and suicide prevention programs for our first responders.
For those that wish to partake in the ride, you may pre-register at the American Tribute Ride website (www.americantributeride.com) or on Facebook where you may find forms and information. For further questions please contact Ron Naab at 262/716-7292 or atrchair@gmail.com.
