West Michigan Freedom Cruise

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By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

The 2019 West Michigan Freedom Cruise and Gold Star Family Honor Ride — an event intended to to “Remember Gold Star Families, Support All Veterans and Never Forget!” — will return to Fifth Third Ball Park in Comstock Park Sunday, Sept. 22.

This year, the annual event will honor fallen soldier U.S. Army Sgt. Chad J. Vollmer, of Grand Rapids, who while serving with the Army 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry, was killed in action in Iraq on Dec. 23, 2006.

Each year, the event, this year co-sponsored by West Michigan Veterans Coalition, honors a family with a ceremony unveiling a specially commissioned portrait of “their fallen hero” and then escorts the Gold Star Family (the family of a military man or woman killed in defense of the United States) and the portrait on an honor cruise.

The free-to-the-public Freedom Cruise and Gold Star Family Honor Ride event will begin at the ball park, 4500 West River Drive NE, with gates opening at 11 a.m., the Fallen Soldier Ceremony beginning at 2 p.m., and the Freedom Cruise beginning at 3 (to 3:15) p.m. and ending back at the ball park after a 25-mile motorcycle and classic car ride to Sparta.

The Stars & Stripes Cars & Bikes Freedom Cruise Honor Ride online pre-registration closes Friday, Sept. 20, at 8 a.m., with on-site Honor Ride registration at Fifth Third Ball Park on Sunday, Sept. 22, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

According to event organizers, including principal organizer Tom Antor and Capt. Paul J. Ryan, US Navy Reserve (Retired) and board member of the West Michigan Veterans Coalition, there will be many activities in addition to the ceremony and the ride.

There is a classic car and motorcycle show with 1,000 plus vehicles anticipated. An additional feature this year will be a “Veterans and Family Resource Fair” sponsored by the West Michigan Veterans’ Coalition. The resource fair providers will include organizations that assist veterans and their families in areas including housing, barriers to employment, legal issues, issues affecting female veterans, mental health, spiritual well-being/social support and transportation.

The West Michigan Veterans Coalition, according to supplied information, is a collaboration among local military-friendly organizations that provide support, information, and resources to veterans and their families, employers, and other organizations throughout West Michigan. It’s mission “is to improve the lives of veterans, their families, and anyone who served in the Armed Forces by connecting them to all available services and resources throughout West Michigan.

For more information and registration information visit the Freedom Cruise website at freedomcruisegr.com.

If there is only one event you can attend to help our Veterans who have served so courageously, this would be it. Every dollar raised stays local.

The West Michigan Freedom Cruise and its partner charity, Finish the Mission Veteran Relief Fund, is already having a major impact on West Michigan Veterans and we are excited to announce the details of the 2015 event schedule.

In part to proceeds from last year, we are nearly finished with the new G.R. Veterans Home Ampitheater Project which will be an incredible asset to all West Michigan residents including those residing at this facility. Help us rebuild this iconic home one project at a time–Finish The Mission!

2015 Freedom Cruise Event Schedule:

Wednesday, June 24th (5:00-8:00p.m.) WLAV/Freedom Cruise Summertime Blues&Cruise

This was formerly called “Blues on the Mall,” and now features classic cars, bikes, music, food and beverages–outside at the Delta Plex. Listen to great blues bands while enjoying beer and food at this historic event. Contact Marcus Bradman at Cumulus Broadcasting at (616)617-7061 for more details.

Thursday, June 25th The David Warsen Honor Ride

Starting points will be the Davenport University (south) and Driftwood Inn (north) with kickstands up at 5:30p.m. (please arrive at least 1/2 hour early.) Cars and motorcycles will then travel in a procession and converge in Downtown, Sparta, MI. for live music, food and beverages along with a special flag presentation to the family of the late David Warsen. Contact Elizabeth Morse at 616-887-2454 or 218-0488 for vendor information or event details.

Friday, June 26th (9:00a.m. Shotgun Start) The 2nd Annual Freedom Cruise Golf Classic

Four man scramble at Thornapple Point Golf Course. Sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, all proceeds will go to the Finish the Mission Veteran Relief Fund. Contact Josh Buckenroth at Fifth Third Bank to sign your group up, or for sponsoring opportunities. Josh can be reached at (616) 654-2566.

Friday Night Cruise (4:00p.m. until dark)

The Freedom Cruise is going “retro” as we welcome everyone to join us for a classic car and bike cruise up and down Plainfield Ave on Friday afternoon and evening featuring Perrin VPA (Veterans Pale Ale) which will be served up and down the avenue generating revenue for West Michigan veterans. Perrin VPA will also be poured at the Garage Bar & Grill Biker Block Party on Ottawa Avenue. Great food, beer and live music will be featured on Ottawa Ave.

Saturday, June 27th (8:00a.m.-4:00p.m)

Plainfield Motor Mile Power Cruise featuring plenty of muscle cars, classics, bikes, vendors and fun–sponsored by the West Michigan Mustang Club and Plainfield Motor Mile & Village Motor Sports. This is going to be an incredible day with all of the Plainfield automobile dealerships rolling out the red carpet for a great day of classic cars, cruising the strip and awards sponsored by the West Michigan Mustang Club. All makes and models are welcome to attend and bike enthusiasts are welcome to visit the Village Motor sports open house.

Freedom Rocks Grand Rapids Concert (5:00p.m.)

This will be an event that will rock your summer as we escort the American Fallen Soldier Project and portrait of fallen West Michigan Navy Seal, David Warsen to the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans Amphitheatre. This event will honor the family of David Warsen, followed by a free concert featuring national recording artist Madison Rising.

Sunday, June 28th (1:00p.m.) Blessing of the Rides

Classic cars, muscle cars and motorcycles are welcome at the Veterans Home for our closing ceremonies and blessings over all those who participate by the Christian Motorcycle Association. Contact Ted Vonk for more information at (616)-874-2604 or (616)-822-0367.

For more event information go to www.freedomcruise.net.