On Friday, August 4, The Heroes Ride Bike Tour rides for its 39th year. Bicyclists will saddle up for their three-day ride starting in Hayward, Cottage Grove (WI), Fond du Lac, New Richmond and La Crosse along scenic routes in support of and on their way to The Highground in Neillsville.
This annual event began in 1985 with Tom Miller riding 1,244 miles around Wisconsin to bring recognition to Vietnam Veterans and The Highground—at the time known as the Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Memorial Project. 1,244 represents the number of servicemen and women who were killed in action during the Vietnam War.
The Highground has since grown to include many more Veterans resources. The organization offers social programs and restorative retreats that help Veterans and their families overcome the challenging emotions associated with military service.
As the dedicated bicyclists physically prepare for their three-day tour, they also raise funds to support The Highground. The Heroes Ride is the organization’s largest and longest running fundraiser having raised over $93,000 in 2022.
There are many community and Veterans organizations and businesses that provide each route tasty meals and overnight accommodations along the way. On the morning of August 6, the riders will complete the last leg of their journey to arrive at The Highground around 10:30am.
Everyone rides for different reasons and riding has changed many lives. All the bicyclists and support personnel volunteer for this event demonstrating their support of our Veterans – past, present and future. For their continued generous contributions and support, each participant receives an event t-shirt, recognition for their years of participation and the amount of sponsorship funds they raise followed by a celebratory meal on The Highground plaza and a short ceremony.
The Highground invites supporters to help welcome the riders as they cross the finish line.
For supporting the event this year, The Highground is thankful for the following sponsors: The Sports Den–Marshfield; Gross Auto Group–Neillsville; Custom Heating & Cooling–Neillsville; Marshfield Professional Police Association; Marshfield Firefighters Association Local 1021; American Legion Post 218–Hayward; American Legion Post 425–Exeland; Our Lady of Sorrows–Ladysmith; American Legion Post 268–Bruce; Blue Hills Kiwanis–Bruce; American Legion Post 353–Holcombe; VFW Post 9464–Holcombe; American Legion Post 118–Thorp; NEI Electric, Inc.–Eau Claire; Teamsters Local Union No. 662–Eau Claire; W & A Distribution Services–Fort Atkinson; NextHome Success–Fort Atkinson; Design Electric of Madison; Wipfli–Eau Claire; Groundswell (The Mary Boortz Foundation)–Eau Claire; Cutz on Kutz–Fort Atkinson; Fort Healthcare–Fort Atkinson; Woodville American Legion Post 301 and Auxiliary; Bernards Northtown Chrysler/Dodge/Ram–New Richmond; Menomonie VFW Post 1039; Eau Claire VFW Post 305; Strum VFW Post 6550; Osseo VFW Post 8514. Those who would like to sponsor a route or the event in general are invited to contact events@thehighground.us.
The Highground is grateful for all returning riders and looks forward to welcoming new riders every year. There is still time to join the ride and help support The Highground’s continuing mission to honor the sacrifices of our Veterans and their families, educate the public about those sacrifices and encourage the healing of the masked wounds of war.
More information including registration options are available on the Heroes Ride website at thehighgroundheroesride.com. Information about The Highground, event updates and more are available on The Highground’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/TheHighgroundVeteransMemorial.
The Highground is located at W7031 Ridge Rd, Neillsville WI 54456. thehighground.us.