American Tribute Ride is July 23, 2022 | By Ron Naab

On Saturday, July 23, a very unique experience will be happening in Washington, Waukesha and Jefferson counties.  According to the American Tribute Ride [ATR] Committee a convoy of approximately 200+ motorcycles and other vehicles will leave at 11 a.m. the Richfield Fire Station No. 2, making their way to Merton Community Fire station for a lunch stop.  

There will be a short opening ceremony at the Richfield Fire Station No. 2 (4166 Hubertus Rd, Hubertus) starting at 10:30 a.m.

The ride has a short opening ceremony that will include a dedication of the event to the heroes and first responders that died in the Line of Duty:

Milwaukee Police Department, Police Officer Mark Lentz, EOW 9-18-19

Wis. Department of Corrections, Officer Daniel Creighbaum; EOW: 4-25-2021

Fond du Lac Police Officer Joseph Kurer, EOW, 9-22-21 

Firefighter Gary E. “Gar-Bear” “Boney”Berg; North Prairie Fire Department; DOD 10-19-2021

EMT Daniel Gerard McCann, Jr. aka DJ or B.A.N.; Bell Ambulance and Midwest Medical; DOD 10-21-2021 ​

Firefighter Brandon Romo  Pardeeville Fire-Rescue—EOS  11-6-2021;

Beloit Police Dept.—Officer Daniel J. Daly, EOW November 15,2021,

Wisconsin State Patrol–Master Trooper Dan Stainbrook. Master Trooper Stainbrook, EOW November 15, 2021,

Firefighter Anthony J. “Tony” Matyka; Westboro Fire Department; DOD 12-16-2021

Captain Stephen M. Smith;  Vandenbrock-Kaukauna Fire Department–  DOD 12-20-2021

Firefighter Matt Siddons; Cadott Fire Department; DOD 12-29-2021

Firefighter James “Jim” Ludlum; Mineral Point Fire Department; DOD 01-06-2022

Captain Brian C. Busch; Mineral Point Fire Department: DOD 01-06-2022

Retired Chief Bradley Liggett, City of Beloit FD, DOD 1-08-2022

Raymond “Ray” Samson of the Dale Fire Department DOD 01-22-2022

Assistant Chief and Retired EMT Robert “Bob” A. Stevens; Fremont – Wolf River Fire Department & Fremont-Wolf River EMS; DOD 01-27-2022

Ron Naab, chair of the committee said, “Our fund-raising ride which will include 2, 3, or 4 wheel vehicles will travel from Richfield Fire Station No. 2 to the Merton Community Fire Station for lunch, on to Kettle Moraine Fire District Station 35 (North Prairie), next stop is at the Fort Atkinson Fire Station Park and ending at the Town of Sullivan Town Hall (Rome) at 4:30 p.m.” 

The ride is escorted and speeds are controlled to provide the safest environment for all participating.  

This is the 10th Annual American Tribute Ride Committee.  Each year the course is different moving around the southern area of Wisconsin.  

Committee member Dennis Grover said, “We encourage the public that is not in the ride to greet us as we travel through the area. It is very humbling to see people support us as we honor those that have unselfishly given their lives serving others.”

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.  The families and fire departments have been invited to attend this program remembering their loved ones.

The memorial service will be followed by a pay-in-advance meal.  The public is invited to attend any of the stops, especially the Memorial Service at Rome.  Following the Memorial Service will be a live auction of some very unique items that have been donated.

There is an opportunity for riders and public to pay forward for a veteran to have dinner following the memorial service by “Adopting a Veteran” meal ticket for $10.  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.

Money raised from this very unique event supports Wisconsin Summer Camp for Burn Injured Youth, Stars and Stripes Honor Flights, Fischer House-Wisconsin, Wisconsin State Firefighters 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 for forms and information. For further questions please contact Ron Naab (262/629-9749 or atrchair@gmail.com).