08/30/2026
Well we made it through another successful Veteran Su***de Awareness Ride. There is so much that goes into this to make it happen. I just wanted to take a minute and say thank you to all those involved. First I want to thank our VSA committee and Nitro for stepping up to chair the committee. Without the members of committee and the hours that they put in this would not have happened. Another huge thank you goes out to Appleton Harley Davidson. They were amazing to work with and we greatly appreciate their sponsorship. I hope that we are able to continue this in the future. I also want to extend a special thank you to Maloney’s in Kaukauna for providing our venue. This is an absolutely wonderful facility and staff. I would like to thank our Road Captains and road guards for creating a fun and safe route and ensuring everyone made it safely to the end. I also send a sincere thank you to the amazing groups that showed up to provide resources in our communities for those that need help, or something to help them engage. Thank you to all of the donors that provided the amazing items for our raffle baskets and silent auction. We had some truly amazing things this year. Along with that thank you to everyone who went above and beyond in reaching out to the donors. Thank you to all of our amazing Chapter members who volunteered to help out, weather it was parking, registration, selling raffle and 50/50 tickets, selling swag, setup, tear down, or just stepping in where there was a need. You are an amazing family and I am so grateful to be part of this. Last but not least, I would like to thank our State leadership that took the time to come, along with all of our fellow CVMA brothers and sisters from other parts of the State, along with those that came from Michigan and Minnesota. Thank you to all of our families and friends in the community that also came out to support this event. I wish the weather had been better, but that still did not keep us from our mission.
I know this a lot of work, and the message and topic can be very heavy, but I wish everyone could hear all of the extremely positive comments we have received from those in attendance. Weather they we one of the resource groups, a participant or venue staff. I can’t count how many shared that this was the most meaningful, honest, and heartfelt event they have been to. Most importantly is what it means to the honor family, and past families. I hope most of you got meet her, but the daughter of the veteran was so moved by what the Chapter did and how her her father was honored, that she was trying to thank as many people as possible. I just hope that everyone keeps this in mind going forward. What you are doing is making a positive impact in people’s lives and our community.
If there is anyone or group that I forgot, I truly apologize. I am very thankful for you all and all your hard work and effort.
~ Viking
