On Saturday, May 28, riders will gather for the annual roughly 100-mile Veterans Tribute Ride as a way to honor all who served their country, especially those who made that ultimate sacrifice. The group will make a few stops on the route to show their appreciation to local veterans.

Registration for the 18th annual Veterans Tribute Ride begins at 8 a.m. and is open until 10:30 a.m. at Riverside Auto Sales in Iron Mountain. The kick stands go up at 10:45 a.m.

The parade of bikes, which will be led by local veterans Bill Massicotte and Greg Blahnik, will make its first stop at 11 a.m. at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain.

“This is a very important part of the event,” said 10-year committee member and current president Bill Massicotte, also a veteran.

Motorcyclists pass through Iron Mountain during the 2021 Veterans Tribute Ride. The annual event has drawn as many as 280 participants.

“This is just a small way of saying ‘thank you’ to those who served our country,” committee member Leah Kerkela added. “The residents at the VA Community Living Center, as well as its patients, are so appreciate of what we do for them.”

Due to safety concerns with the ongoing pandemic, riders unfortunately again this year will be unable to shake hands with the residents.

“We will still conduct a ceremony and acknowledge our veterans,” Kerkela said.

The group will continue its ride and make a stop at the Stambaugh American Legion Post 21 in Iron River, which is its halfway point.

Each year the committee selects different legions and posts, as this is another way the group can support them, Kerkela explained.

The ride will conclude at about 2:45 to 3 p.m. at the Uren-Cooper-Johnson American Legion Post 50 in Iron Mountain.

Cost to participate in the ride is $20 per person, which includes snacks, dinner and entertainment at the Legion Post 50, which will host an after-party event. Anyone is welcome to participate in the ride, with or without a bike. Active-duty military personnel in uniform can ride for free.

Post 50 also will have many raffle and door prizes donated by area businesses and individuals. Drawings will start between 4:30 and 5 p.m.

The public is invited to take part in the dinner, entertainment and drawings at the Legion for an admission fee.

The first Veterans Tribute Ride was an idea Randy Piatti, Al Lammi and the late Rich Moore had as a fundraiser for the Iron Mountain Veterans of Foreign Wars. The VFW was low on members and funds at the time and was in need of help

“The first event had about 20 bikes,” Kerkela said. “Now we see close to 300 participates in some years.”

One year they had 280 bikes, Massicotte added.

“The event was planned on this weekend as this is a time designated to honor those who didn’t return home,” Kerkela said. “This is also a time to honor our veterans that did return and show how much we appreciate what they have done for their country.”

Kerkela, although she isn’t a veteran herself, said she has many family members and friends with military backgrounds.

“I don’t pretend to understand what they have gone through but if I can help by being a part of this group that supports places where veterans can meet with peers, then I have done my job,” she said. “I want to help in any way I can.”

In addition to Massicotte and Kerkela, committee members include Tina Massicotte, Greg Blahnik, Sean and Brenda Franklin, Kristal Occhietti, Barb Pann, Mike and Terry Priddy, Jim Quick, and Scott and Lisa Visintainer. Volunteers the day of the ride include the LongRiders Motorcycle Club, Lisa Flynn, Courtney Wickman, Travis Wright and Teresa Cornelia.

The committee stressed they are always looking for additional volunteers. Anyone interested can contact Massicotte at 906-221-5941 or Kerkela or 906-396-1903.

Any businesses or organizations wishing to donate for the raffle and drawings can do so until Friday — just contact Massicotte or Kerkela to arrange for pickup.

“We greatly appreciate all those who have donated with either a monetary donation or raffle prizes — we can’t stress our gratitude enough,” Kerkela said. “The event wouldn’t be possible without every one of you.”

All funds raised go to supporting local veteran projects and organizations, including local American Legion Posts and Veterans of Foreign Wars, VA Community Living Center, U.P. Honor Flight, LCpl Eric A. Palmisano Care Package Project and the U.P. Veterans War Memorial and Park atop Pine Mountain in Iron Mountain.

“We try to help as many as we can. That’s why our donations are so important to us,” Kerkela said.

Monetary donations can be mailed to Veterans Tribute Ride, c/o Bill Massicotte, 705 Division St., Quinnesec, MI 49876. Checks can be made to Veterans Tribute Ride.