July 27, 2018 – West Bend, WI – The American Tribute Ride is ending at the Boltonville Fire Station off WI-144/28 on Saturday afternoon, July 28.
The convoy of motorcycles and vehicles should arrive around 4:45 p.m. coming in from the north on Bolton Drive. The committee is anticipating 150+ motorcycles.
“We invite everyone to join us along the route or at the fire station for the memorial service and auction,” said Ann Naab, co-chair of the American Tribute Ride.
“The money raised helps many organizations that support our first responders. One of our goals this year is to raise a significant amount of money from the auction for a new riding lawn mower at the Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial.”
The event in Boltonville will start off with a Memorial Ceremony to honor the 8 individuals that made the Ultimate Sacrifice.
The entire ride was dedicated to remember those that died in the Line of Duty from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018.
Those were: Firefighter/Retired Chief Terrance E. Shafer of the Spring Valley Fire Department, Firefighter/EMT Matt Deicher of the Mosinee Fire and Ambulance, FF – Paramedic Richard L. Garner Jr. of the City of Madison Fire Department, FF Philip H. Neubich of the Spooner Fire District, Air Methods Pilot Rico Caruso of the Ascension Spirit, Flight Paramedic Greg Rosenthal of the Ascension Spirit, Flight Nurse Klint Mitchell of the Ascension Spirit, and Police Officer Charles Irvine, Jr. of the Milwaukee Police Department.
Following the memorial service will be a live auction with some very unique one-of-a-kind items for sale.
The money that will support the Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial, Concerns of Police Survivors-WI, Wisconsin Youth Burn Camp, Stars and Stripes Honor Flights and the Wisconsin Housing and Recovery Program at King.
There will be a meal to be had after the auction. Advance sale tickets only for the meal, which are $10 each and can be had by contacting Ron Naab at 262/629-9749 or [email protected].
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: [email protected], or Barb Pahl, email: [email protected].