NVAO Members,
Happy Valentine’s Day.
The weather up north is starting to get a bit warmer. It won’t be long till we can ride without putting on 5 layers of clothes.
Several things to share with you…
1. Everything is getting nailed down for the 2026 National Veterans Awareness Ride. An important part of the ride each year is to remember a friend who is no longer with us. This year’s NVAR is dedicated to Jim Stemmler. Jim was a Veteran’s Veteran. He was a Vietnam Vet. He rode on the NVAR a half dozen times. He was a VFW Post Commander and the LaPorte County Indiana Veteran of the year. He ran every morning and was proud to carry the United States flag as he ran. Attached is a photo of Jim. Rest in Peace.
2. It’s time to start thinking about Kids’ Cards and artwork for the Vets in the hospitals. We’ve all enjoyed sharing cards of thanks with the Vets. And what really excites the Vets is artwork from children. The Vets tape the artwork to their walls and are thankful for being remembered by America’s children. If you are coming on the ride, bring the cards and artwork with you. If you are not riding this year, send your cards/artwork to Jerry Conner, 1032 Dinsmore Road, Winnetka, IL 60093. Attached is a photo of the types of artwork that have been done for the NVAR and that we’ve given to the Vets.
3. Wayne Worden, the Chaplain of the National Veterans Awareness Ride, called a few days ago with a pretty cool idea. He followed up with an email detailing his idea. Following is Wayne’s idea in his own words:
“As you all know, the National Veterans Awareness Ride is dedicated to honoring military Veterans. Our mission is to remember, honor and support Veterans and those currently serving in all branches of the military.
We typically think in terms of honoring Veterans via visits at VA Homes and Hospitals, services at memorial sites, and meeting Veterans along the NVAR. This year, we’d like to recognize and show our appreciation for the Vets and non-Veterans participating on the ride.
For the Veterans among us, we would like to know a few things about your service to our country. For the non-Veterans among us, we would like to know what motivated you to join and continue to participate in the NVAR. So, we have put together a few questions for you. We’d like to highlight a couple of the riders each morning. This is strictly voluntary. If you would be willing to let the others in the group learn a little more about you, please answer the following questions and send them to Wayne Worden at wworden@wavecable.com.
That’s it for now.
Be careful out there.
The NVAO Board of Directors
