Veterans Run for the Colors ORV Ride

Nearly 80 people took part in the first Veterans "Run for the Colors" ORV Ride, from the Wakefield American Legion to the west end of the Ottawa National Forest on Sept. 27.

The ride was a cooperative effort between the Upper Peninsula ORV Trail Development Association, Western UP Trails Association, Veterans Outdoor World, Lake States Resource Alliance and the Wakefield American Legion. Other entities helping in to make the ride possible included the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Ottawa National Forest and the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Forty-eight off-road vehicles participated in the ride, and with temperatures in the low 70s, sunshine and the fall colors in its peak, organizers of the event claimed the ride was a huge success.

The event even included state Sen. Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba) and state Rep. Scott Dianda (D-Calumet).

According to Dianda, the ride showed "how important the ORV sport and a good ORV trail system is to our state."

"I want to thank all our vets for their service," Casperson said. "It is an honor to have participated in this ride, and it proves again how important it is for us in Michigan to take advantage of the natural resources that surrounds us."

During the event, participants were able to speak to Casperson and Dianda on important issues. One of the main issues discussed was the importantance of getting the trail opened to ORVs from Hurley, through Ironwood and Bessemer and into Wakefield.

"This is what we want to hear," Dianda said. We are here to serve you."

Casperson said, "I have been on other rides like this, and was proud to sponsor the ORV legislation that will help us develop an inter-connecting ORV trail system."

ORV riders from the Upper Peninsula, Wisconsin and a group from the Minnesota-Iowa border participated in the ride.

One Vietnam vet said, "I want you to know how much I and other Veterans appreciate this ride and acknowledging our service."

Representatives of the trail development association and WUPTA said the concept of "Run for the Colors" was done to not just show the veterans the peak of the fall color season but to show respect for the "red, white, and blue."

The U.P. ORV Trail Development Association received financial support from the Lake States Resource Alliance to help in the cost of the picnic, and provided a donation to Veterans Outdoor World. Veterans Outdoor World has held different hunting and fishing trips for veterans throughout the Midwest. David Kohn, vice president of the Wisconsin VOW, told the veterans at the picnic that in a few weeks, he will be taking a Vietnam veteran, suffering from the effects of Agent Orange, on a hunting trip to Colorado.

This years "Run for the Colors" was open to all veterans, regardless of branch of service, time served and whether they were disabled or not. Veterans from World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War and the Iraq/Afghanistan conflicts took part in this years ORV Ride.

The U.P. ORV Trail Development Association will hold its annual fall meeting on Oct. 11 at the Normenco Sportsman Club. During that meeting, an election will be held and the association will discuss whether it will host another ORV ride next year.

"While we really appreciate all the help our club members, WUPTA, along with the Wakefield American Legion did for us for this years ride, it was at our spring association meeting that the membership decided that if we were to do this ride again, we would offer this to a different area in the U.P.," Skip Schulz, association president, said. "While not all ORV clubs and riders are members of our association, all ORV clubs and riders have and will take advantage of the work our association and it's members are doing. Whether it is through legislation, getting clubs to work together or bringing new people into our sport."

For more information about the Upper Peninsula ORV Trail Development Association, contact Schulz at 906-884-9101, or at [email protected].