IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WZMQ) – Veterans from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin gathered at the VFW Post in Dickinson County to distribute funds raised in this year’s Veteran Tribute Ride.
Earlier this year, the community celebrated its 20th annual charity motorcycle ride, which donates all proceeds to local veteran organizations. This year’s ride saw a record turnout, raising $11,000 more than the previous year. In total, the event raised $25,000 for veteran charities across the Upper Peninsula.
Greg Blahnik, the Carney Nadeau Legion Commander and an organizer of the tribute ride, highlighted the community’s crucial role in the event’s success. “Just thanks for the community. Everybody that rode on the ride and supported the veteran tribute ride this year.” The entire community came together to support the ride, with Riverside Auto hosting the start, a touching meet-and-greet at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center with community living heroes, and the end of the ride party hosted at the Maxx Entertainment center for this year’s event that took place over memorial weekend.
Blahnik detailed the distribution process, saying, “We’re actually allotting the money out to different organizations that we sent letters out to and if they responded to us, then they were invited for a meal and the check presentation. All these organizations are getting a check, so we allotted that money out to all those organizations.” Money was distributed to various American legions and VFW posts, mostly from around the Upper Peninsula and a couple in Florence, Wisconsin. Money was also distributed to the U.P. Honor Flight, the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center, to disabled veterans, and to the U.P. Veteran Memorial Park which is located at the top of the Iron Mountain Ski Jump.
The event featured contributions from local businesses and volunteers. “It was a good turnout this year and thanks to Dave from the Maxx entertainment center for hosting the event and smokers with the pig and the food in the band Next Myle. It was a very good turnout. The weather cooperated well too, so that helps big time,” Blahnik added.
Reflecting on the event’s legacy, Blahnik noted, “This is our 20th year. A lot of us are going to be done with it, but there’s still a lot of people that want to see it continue on. So, in September, we’re going to have another meeting with everybody that’s interested in continuing on the ride. We have VFW and Legion posts that are interested in hosting it. A couple of people from the Longriders Motorcycle Club are interested in hosting it as well. I think it will help to have some motorcycle people in it just because of the ride, organize the ride and stuff.”
Blahnik encouraged community involvement, stating, “We’re always looking for volunteers. The more, the merrier, I guess you could say, because it helps.”
While Blahnik has not been involved for the entire two decades, he expressed pride in the event’s impact over the past six years. “It’s something that a lot of people look forward to, especially when there are graduations and stuff going on that kind of hinders it, but it’s a beautiful day. There’s a lot of people that love that ride around the U.P. somewhere, and we’ll stop at another veteran organization for a little snack.”
The tradition of visiting community living residents during the ride is expected to continue.
