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Cripple Creek

Salute to Veterans Rally Canceled

August 4, 2020 By Colorado Rider News Leave a Comment

33rd POW RIDE TO GO ON AS SCHEDULED

In an unexpected announcement last Thursday, the Cripple Creek City Council voted 4 to 1 to cancel the 28th annual Salute to American Veterans Rally, scheduled for August 21-23.

The rally’s founder and organizer, Jim Wear said “This decision completely blindsided us. The city of Cripple Creek approved the event and the sponsorship funding on June 17. Our huge hurdle was then to get approval from the county health department for the gathering.”

After a huge amount of work, rally organizers obtained the coveted county health permit with full approval from state and county health departments. “Most folks thought we’d never get the county permit” said Wear. “We had a solid plan in place which met all the guidelines and we were prepared to keep the crowds outdoors, safe and happy. The last thing we expected was for the city of Cripple Creek to pull the plug.”

City Council woman Meghan Rozell stated that Cripple Creek businesses and residents overwhelmingly wanted the rally canceled due to concerns over COVID-19 and the potential for the Governor to close the casinos down if an outbreak occurred. There was however a lot of feedback which seem to be contrary to Rozell’s supposition. “The first three casino owners we spoke to immediately after the decision told us that no one from the city had contacted them, and that the decision was a complete surprise to them.” Said Wear. “We also heard from many residents that they were upset at the decision.”

The other thing that came to light immediately was that rally attendees were coming anyway in spite of the Rally being canceled. The city of Cripple Creek area hotels have reported almost no room cancellations, and social media indicates that most rally attendees plan to be in Teller County on the weekend. “our belief all along was that after 30 years, the rally has a life of its own and people were coming anyway” said Wear. “We know that this is part of the reason that the county commissioners granted our permit as they understood that we needed to work together to manage the crowd, keep everyone safe, and happy outdoors. Clearly, the city of Cripple Creek did not believe the same to be true.”

Immediately after the announcement came overwhelming pressure from the community of Veterans to keep the 33rd annual POW/MIA recognition ride in place. “The recognition ride is a completely separate entity from the rally.” Said Wear. “As the ride stages in Woodland Park, they issue the permit, and their City Council was unanimously in support of the ride. We also had already put our permit from the Colorado State patrol in place and the Veterans we serve demanded the ride.” Wear added “At a time when millions of protesters nationwide have been not only allowed, but encouraged to gather in protest against America, the police, capitalism and more, it is only right that those of us who love America, the constitution, our flag and mean to celebrate our freedom would be allowed to gather, peacefully and in much smaller numbers, then those who mean to show their disdain for our country.”

Additional annual rally features that are still in place and will not be canceled include the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association POKER RUN, Friday in Cripple Creek, the “Red Friday” T-shirt giveaway in downtown Woodland Park, and the dedication of a bronze plaque to a fallen Marine in Cripple Creek city Park at 1 PM Saturday. “Chuck Geertz died on his motorcycle after last year’s rally. Chuck was a proud and loyal American who dedicated his life to serving his fellow veterans after he retired from the military.” Said Wear. “Like so many we have heard from, Chuck’s family told us that they were coming anyway as their flight and hotel reservations were in place. We decided then and there that we would be honoring Chuck and dedicating his bronze plaque on our memorial in Cripple Creek’s city park as planned.” Wear added “There are many things that City Council can hold back. There are also many things that they cannot stop from happening. Our rights to assemble, ride our motorcycles on our POW/MIA Memorial Highway and honor those veterans who so gallantly gave us our freedom will not be withheld.”

In closing, Wear added “No one can cancel FREEDOM.”

For more information on what is and what is not happening with the ride and the rally go to www.theveteransrally.org

Filed Under: Events, Magazine Tagged With: 08/20, Cripple Creek, Veterans

Rally Around the Flag: Veterans Event Ignites Patriotism

July 29, 2019 By Colorado Rider News Leave a Comment

Being named Colorado’s largest motorcycle rally is quite an accomplishment. With the huge number of riders in this state, and the vast number of great rides, runs and rallies to choose from, it says a lot more about an event that boasts the largest attendance among its peers.

The annual Salute to American Veterans held each August in Cripple Creek is much more than just a bike rally. Over the past three decades, this event has become a pilgrimage for Veterans from all over the United States, and Cripple Creek has been called “sacred ground” for US Vets to gather, remember, respect and heal.

What began in the late 1980s as a small, grassroots effort to call attention to the plight of American POWs and MIAs has grown into a three-day festival complete with ceremonies, dedications, vendors, music and the display of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Traveling WALL.

“We did not have any goal in mind, or any vision of the future of this event when we began” said Jim Wear, founder and organizer of the rally. “This is not contrived. The rally evolved organically. There was no master plan. The event has made its own path.”

The 2019 Veterans Rally will continue on it’s natural path, providing the opportunity for honored Veterans and loyal Patriots to gather together in the old-west mining town, rallying around the Stars and Stripes and igniting patriotism in all who attend.

The annual POW MIA Recognition Ride, the ride which spawned the Salute to American Veterans Rally, takes place Saturday morning, with thousands joining Colorado’s largest escorted procession of motorcycles. The Brotherhood of Veterans motorcycle club, the Colorado Patriot Guard Riders and the Colorado and Kansas American Legion Riders step up to help organize the effort annually.

Beneficiaries from this year’s event include the Vets4Vets organization (helping local homeless Veterans), The Pueblo POW/MIA Memorial effort and the scholarship fund for the child of fallen 10th SF Green Beret and Teller County resident Elliott Robbins.

The Veterans Rally will also play host to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Traveling WALL as it has for the past 12 years, making the Veterans Rally the longest standing annual host for the traveling wall in Colorado.

For the third year in a row, the Combat Hero Bike Build organization returns to Cripple Creek and will present Sgt. J.J. Guerrero, a battle wounded double amputee Army / USMC Veteran with a new customized machine during the ceremony in Cripple Creek’s City Park. 

“The Combat Hero Bike Build is an awesome project, and we support their efforts 100%.” Said Wear, “To take a wounded Veteran who can no longer ride and get them back in the wind accomplishes more than most people will ever understand. These Vets have many issues to contend with, and getting them on a bike not only brings back the feelings of freedom and independence, but it makes them feel “more normal” if you will… and that is something that goes beyond dollars and cents.”

The American Legion will be recognized for 100 years of service during the rally with a plaque dedication, guest speakers and a great history of the Legion being read during the ceremony.

Other features include FREE “Red Friday” T-shirts for the first 800 patriots, military static displays, Veterans parade, benefit silent auction, pancake breakfast, live music, aircraft flyovers, beer garden, vendor show, Friday poker run and much more. 

“I’m sad to say that Patriotism is under attack by radical factions in this country,” said Wear. “America needs Patriotism now more than ever, and this event provides the opportunity for everyone who attends to express their love for our Flag, our Veterans and our Country. The camaraderie, honor and respect that the attendees of this rally have for each other is what makes it all happen. All we do is set the table… and our guests ignite the fires of patriotism that they then, hopefully, carry home with them when the weekend concludes.” 

For more information, go to www.theveteransrally.org.

Filed Under: Events, Magazine, Ride Tagged With: 08/19, Cripple Creek, Veterans

Honoring America’s Heroes for 26 Years

August 3, 2018 By Colorado Rider News Leave a Comment

The SALUTE TO AMERICAN VETERANS RALLY, Colorado’s largest motorcycle rally, returns to Cripple Creek, August 17th – 19th. The members of the Rally Committee invite all Veterans, their Families, American Patriots and the general public to attend this awesome event – whether on 2 or 4 wheels.

A few of the “NOT to MISS” Rally features include

click to enlarge

The 2 VETERAN REMEMBRANCE CEREMONIES, The first is the 31st annual POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony in Cripple Creek’s City Park at noon on Saturday. This is the centerpiece of Salute to American Veterans Rally and everyone is encouraged to attend, features this year include a special salute to the US ARMY 4th INFANTRY DIVISION, the presentation of a custom-built motorcycle by the COMBAT HERO BIKE BUILD Guest speakers, dedications and much more.

The second will take place Sunday at 1:00 pm at Cripple Creek’s War on Terror Memorial on the west end of town near the Mt. Pisgah Cemetery. At this important service, the names of the servicemen from the local area who were killed in action over the past 12 months will be added to the Memorial.

WIN A 2018 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROAD KING MOTORCYCLE! The bike will be given away at 4:00 pm on Sunday at Century Casino (at the corner of 2nd & Bennett).

The indoor Veterans memorial tribute display inside the Cripple Creek Park & Rec building, right on Bennett Ave. just across from the Fire Station.

Get your FREE RED FRIDAY T-SHIRT at the Rally on Friday while they last. Show your support for our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and th

e National Guard by wearing Red every Friday from now till they come home. These shirts are given away ONE PER-PERSON. If you want more, a donation will be accepted and used to help local Veterans in need.

The SILENT AUCTION to benefit the Vets 4 Vets: Up for grabs will be an awesome DAVID UHL PAINTING titled “ACKNOWLEDGED”. This piece is valued at over $850.00. We also have an awesome one-of-a-kind HANDMADE QUILT, and a 3-piece set of commemorative bottles of Jack Daniels single barrel Bourbon.

The Vietnam Traveling Memorial WALL will be on display 24/7 from Thursday thru Sunday at the Cripple Creek High School Football Field. This is one feature of this year’s Rally that you will not want to miss.

The 31st ANNUAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION RIDE will stage at the Woodland Park High School on Saturday morning. What has become “Colorado’s largest procession of motorcycles” will roll through the mountains under police escort and arrive in style to the cheering supporters at the Rally. This will be the 6th ANNIVERSARY RIDE of the “POW-MIA MEMORIAL HIGHWAY”

OFFICIAL VETERANS RALLY MERCHANDISE will be on sale at 2 locations in Cripple Creek. The main merchandise booth at the corner of Bennett and 2nd Street will be open Friday afternoon and through the weekend. The second location between 4th and 5th Street on the east end of town will be open on Saturday only.

The 26th ANNUAL VETERANS PARADE happens Saturday morning and proceeds down Bennett Avenue westbound starting at 5th Street. Dozens of military, civic and civilian organizations participate including the Colorado Shriners, American EX-POW’s, Car Clubs, Fire & Police Departments and motorcycle clubs make this a fun and patriotic parade. The parade kicks off at approximately 10:00 am.

The Official Beer Garden located at the corner of Second Street and Bennett Avenue. This is the “Freedom” Beer Garden sponsored by Century Casino. You can hear live music Saturday and Sunday plus enjoy ice-cold Miller and Coors products.

For more information on the Salute to American Veterans Rally go to www.theveteransrally.org

Filed Under: Events, Magazine Tagged With: 08/18, Cripple Creek, rally, Veterans

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