NVAO Members,
Thinking back on the 2025 National Veterans Awareness Ride, we are reminded that it takes a large and dedicated team to make the NVAR successful each year.
1. We’d like to share a bit about the wonderful people who dedicate time and energy making the NVAR the experience that we all enjoy.
Wayne Worden has befriended a group from Colfax, CA who make quilts and lap blankets for us to give to the Veterans we meet at the VA Homes and Hospitals.. The quilts and lap blankets are beautiful and are very appreciated by the Veterans. Also, thanks to Fred Corcoran, who has organized the parade through Auburn and the send-off breakfast on the morning of our departure on our mission.
Despite the cool weather this year, Joanne Farris organized an amazing visit to the Reno VAMC, complete with access to the Vets inside, live music, a Patriot Guard flag line and a yummy lunch provided by Cy and Loren Wahl.
Jayson Stephenson, once again, put together a gigantic reception for the NVAR as we arrived in Utah and were escorted to the Salt Lake City Veterans Home. Jayson coordinates the largest escort that we are honored to see, made up of Utah and Wyoming riders and about 50 motorcycle police officers.
In addition to their efforts running the chase truck/trailer, Kat and Mike Tipton coordinate the state of Wyoming, complete with escorts and breakfast in Rock Springs and full access to the Cheyenne VAMC. We saw more Vets in Cheyenne than ever before. While we are reviewing Wyoming, a big thanks to Lexi Lamb for organizing everything that happens in Evanston, WY, including the wonderful group of young people who sing for us at the memorial.
Bill Luft has friends all across Nebraska and makes our stops in the state real joys…from the memorial in North Platte to the family style dinner in Doniphan to the amazing Veterans’ facility in Kearny.
In addition to his work as Road Guard Captain, Patrick Martindale coordinates the NVAR activities in Iowa, the busiest state of all the states we visit on the NVAR. At a new stop for the NVAR, Patrick works closely with Roger Granbois at the memorial service at the Veterans Park in Davenport, IA.
Despite the cold rain, Ken Richardson made our ride through Illinois a great experience, organizing the State Police escort, the amazing memorial at the Mideast Conflicts Memorial and the home cooked lunch at the Marseilles, American Legion.
Mike Stupar added a new, school visit in Indiana and got a zillion young students outside to wave their flags and say hello despite the cold weather. .Mike’s got an army of helpers to make Indiana an active and wonderful state for the NVAR. A special shout-out to Tammy Moore and her team for their work putting together the fabulous dinner at the Wall Gang headquarters.
Despite the crazy weather, Tony Cunningham and Dave Clemmons’s organizational skills paid off again in Ohio. The reception in Brookville was like visiting family….fun, raucous and wonderful. Dave got us to go inside the Chillicothe VA facility and see a huge number vets.
As Eddie Shinn would say, “all he does is make phone calls” and he gets the state of West Virginia running like a champ. Police escorts across the state and one of the best visits ever in Clarksburg and Martinsburg (all of the floors in all of the buildings, plus outdoors).
Steve Moore got a huge turnout of students to help us remember our fallen Vets in the Rocky Gap Cemetery, MD. He’s built in enough time for us to talk with and share thanks to the students.
Steve Moore and Tony Cunningham made DC a unique and memorable way to end the 2025 NVAR…everyone got to lay a flower at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, we had a great visit to the Air and Space Museum and Tony got his friends at the Accokeek, MD Fire Department to have lunch with us.
We depend on Buzz Neeb for creative input for the development and production of the Ride Shirts and Ride Pins that are made each year. He also produces the yearly patch for the ride. For any type of patch, pin, decal, medal or special order of merchandise, we call Buzz and it’s taken care of right away.
When we get the Ride Shirts, Pins and any other items necessary for the NVAR, they are delivered to Sandy and Ed Kintzele. They organize the shirts, neatly fold them and arrange them in the merchandise trailer for easy access on the ride. Same with any other merchandise… everything is in its place. After each NVAR, they do an inventory and make recommendations on quantities needed for the next year’s NVAR. Organizing the merchandise, doing an inventory recommending stocking numbers/items and cleaning the trailer are big jobs. And we thank them.
A thank you to Steve Moore for riding point and leading us safely from California to Washington, DC. To Tony Ivins for being the Missing Man Coordinator. To Dan Kress for riding as Tail Gunner, ready to help anyone whose bike or body breaks down on the ride. To Fairal Warren who has been the Wreath Laying Squad Leader in all but Nebraska across the United States. To Karla Lloyd who has been invaluable as the Awards Angel, making all of the Certificates of Appreciation and FNG pins. To Donna Williams who helps with merchandise, 50/50 and keeping Mike Tipton awake while he’s driving the Chase Truck. To Dave Clemmons who keeps the speed smoth when we’re on the road. To Patrick Martindale and his team of Road Guards (Dean Neeb, Derek Neeb, Jim Grant, Depner, Steve Wiseman, and Eddie Shinn. And a huge thank you to Roger Granbois, the NVAO Webmaster.
The people listed above do more than the responsibilities listed. These are snippets about people who make up a successful team.
2. The lucky winner of the shotgun raffle is Thomas Laswell, from the grand and glorious state of Utah.
3. If anyone has ride pins left over from the 2025 NVAR, please put them into a padded envelope and send them to Jerry Conner, 1032 Dinsmore Road, Winnetka, IL 60093. We had requests for a few pins from some folks who helped us accomplish our mission.
Thanks to all participants in the 2025 National Veterans Awareness Ride. See you next year.
Thats it for now, Be careful out there.
Never forget.
The NVAO Board of Directors
