The third weekend in June will mark the seventh anniversary of an annual event that honors Calhoun County heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice. One of the Hometown Heroes Memorial Ride organizers, Todd Richardson, says it was unfortunate they were forced to cancel in 2020 because of the pandemic, but the unique event is back and better than ever for 2021.
This year’s route has them leaving Rockwell City on Saturday, June 19 at 11 a.m. The first stop at the new Halbur Fire Station will be where lunch is served. The motorcycles, cars, vans, trucks and buses, whatever anybody wants to ride in or on, will then travel to the Schleswig Fire Department, to the Lake View Fire Station and then to the Lytton Fire Station, which is also brand new, before heading back to Rockwell City. Richardson says the selection of first responder posts is another way of honoring those in whose memory the ride is held.
They are also adding a special honoree to this year’s event.
Registration will be held that morning from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and there is a charge of $25 per vehicle. This includes one t-shirt, but additional shirts can be purchased for $20 each. Participants will also be given a punch card that, when filled, can be put into a drawing for half a hog. As the ride comes to a close in Rockwell City later that day, everyone is invited to a supper and the auction at the Expo Building in the Rockwell City Park. Richardson says the money raised through the registration fee and from the auctions supports more than the annual event.
This year’s scholarship recipient is Arieanna Grage who is pursuing a degree in criminal justice. Last year’s winners were Bryce Smidt who is studying criminal justice at Wayne State College and Hunter Voith, studying fire science at Iowa Central Community College. Richardson says students attending South Central Calhoun Community School District are eligible to apply, but their hopes are that as the ride grows, they will be able to expand scholarship opportunities in the area. More details are available on the Hometown Heroes Memorial Ride Facebook page, a link to which is included below.
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Link to Hometown Heroes Memorial Ride Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hometownheroesmemorialride
For those with questions, please send a private message through the Facebook page and one of the organizers will respond.
