It was a scorcher of a day! Especially for mid-June where the city temperature threatened 100 degrees.  But, it was a beautiful day for our 3rd Annual Gratitude Ride up through the eastern slope of the Rockies.  This year, our ride began at Dirty Dog Saloon in Golden. Led by Ride Captain, Donovan Martinez and generously guarded by Veterans MC who volunteered their resources to block for our 100 bike gathering.

After registration, we heard Veronica Gallegos' beautiful A capella rendition of our National Anthem, followed by Ride Chaplain, Dave Stuht's warm prayer.  The safety brief was then given and the ride quickly departed for it's only stop at Roy's Last Shot in Black Hawk.  This year's ride included a full buffet lunch at Roy's for anyone who was interested.

After the lunch stop at Roy's, everyone made their own way back to the final stop at Bout Time Pub & Grub in Sheridan.  It turned out to be a decent place, although we packed that house. We had the team there in advance to set up for the final leg where we would award a 2003 Yamaha VStar 1100 to a select combat veteran.

We held the raffles and silent action.  We tried something new with the silent auction this year and that was to have it hosted online.  It turned out to be impractical for the way we used it and we apologize for any difficulties you may have encountered.  Lesson learned, and we will return to something a little more familiar next year.

We did have one item that was auctioned off live.  Jim Rudy graciously donated a beautiful Arkansas Toothpick that he forged and live auctioned off himself.

Then it came time to give away a motorcycle to our selected Veteran. Our recipient is a combat veteran who served with the Navy SEAL Teams.  He was shot in the spine while on deployment in Iraq and was left paralyzed for many months.  Fortunately he slowly recovered the use of his legs and continued serving. He completed ten more combat missions before retiring.

Please help us honor Jimmy Schoeder for his boundless call to service for all of us.  You have given far more than many of us and we are thankful for your commitment.  We sincerely hope that this motorcycle gets you into the wind and helps you with the hard days.

With our gratitude...