Registration under way for annual Highground Honor Ride

NEILSVILLE – It started with just a few motorcycles 15 years ago; now, more than 200 bikers are expected for the annual ride to honor veterans.

The Highground Veterans Memorial Park motorcycle rally and fundraiser began in 2010 as The Highground Fun Run from Hudson to the HIghground as a way to inspire camaraderie among military veteran motorcyclists on Memorial Day.

With the help of Dave Keene and Mark Dawson during the first few years, it has now transformed into a ride with multiple routes, all leading to the Highground prior to the Memorial Day ceremony.

After a few years, the ride was renamed The Highground Honor Ride. In 2018, there were more than 225 riders who raised more than $12,000. All funds raised by the Honor Ride help the Highground improve veterans, offered to veterans and their families at no cost.

The starting points are independently organized and led by experienced ride leaders, many of whom are military veterans. Each route has been coordinated to take riders on scenic country roads with short fuel stops along the way. All the routes begin to come together at the Highground starting at about 11:30 a.m., where riders are welcomed with a meal and opportunities to win raffles.

At 2:15 p.m., riders can take one final ride together through Neillsville, returning to the Highground to honor those who never made it home and to ensure that their sacrifices are not forgotten.

At 3 p.m., the names of Wisconsinites killed in action or missing in action from Korea to the present day can be heard throughout the park. It is a day to pause for a moment, remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Riders can register online at thehighgroundhonorride.com/registration/; it costs $25 per person, or $45 for a rider and passenger.

Bikers also can start a ride route; call (715) 743-4224 or send an email to events@thehighground.org.

In Wisconsin Rapids, riders will meet up at 10:45 a.m. at the Kiwk Trip on West Grand Avenue, with departure at 11:15 a.m.

In Marshfield, they will meet at 11:45 a.m. at the South Draxler Drive Kiwk Trip, departing at noon.

The contacts are Bill Flemal, (715) 281-4068 or bill.flemal@gmail.com; and Doug Mauritz, dougmauritz@gmail.com.