July 22, 2018 – Washington Co., WI – On July 28, a very unique experience will be happening in Forest Junction.
The 6th Annual American Tribute Ride [ATR] will be starting at the Forest Junction Fire Station. The event is led by Ron Naab of the Allenton Fire Department and his wife Ann.
Money raised from this ride, that is open to 2, 3 and 4 wheelers, supports the following organizations:
Concerns of Police Survivors-WI, Wisconsin Summer Camp for Burn Injured Youth, Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial, Stars and Stripes Honor Flights, and Wisconsin Veterans Housing and Recovery Program.
As part of the “kick off” program there will be a special balloon release and dedication of this year’s ride to honor a long-time committee member, Bruce Bintzler, who passed away in October.
Each year the ride course is different moving around the southern area of Wisconsin. “We encourage the public along the routes to greet us as we travel through area, especially in the villages we will pass through,” said Naab. “It is very humbling to see people support us as we honor those that have unselfishly gave their lives serving others.”
After the lunch stop in Pipe, the ride will continue with a stop at the Plymouth Town Fire Department then on to Waldo, both in Sheboygan County.
The day will conclude at the Fire Station in Boltonville around 5 p.m. At the Boltonville Fire Station [north of West Bend on WI-144/28] there will be Memorial service to honor and remember those that have made the Supreme Sacrifice serving our communities and county.
Pastor Andrew Jones of Still Waters UMC Community Church and Reverend David Schlieter of New Horizons UCC will assist paying tribute with a brief recognition ceremony along with Gina Crossley, our traditional bagpiper, and Joe Pieper of the West Bend Community Band to those responders that have made the ultimate Sacrifice.
Those being honored during the memorial ceremony are:
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
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
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
Police Officer Charles Irvine, Jr.; Milwaukee Police Department; DOD 6/7/2018
The memorial service will be followed by a pay-in-advance meal and an auction of some very exclusive items.
One of the items is handcrafted American Flag by a former Allenton resident, Mel Gullickson. The flag consists of 52 pieces of wood.
Also an autographed Devante Adams jersey, which was donated by Gordie Boucher Ford of West Bend.
The public is invited to attend any of our stops, especially the Memorial Service at Boltonville. The ATR Committee does ask for pre-registration/payment for the evening meal for those that would like to join the entire rider. Anyone that would like to join those that were part of the ride are invited to contact Ron Naab at rjnaab@frontier.com to pre-register for the evening meal.
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 rjnaab@frontier.com), or Barb Pahl (atride1@yahoo.com.)