THE WISCONSIN STATE FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL will be holding their annual Ride of Remembrance on Saturday, July 25. This event is not only a day of camaraderie, but a fund-raiser for the Firefighters Memorial Park that was created to honor the Wisconsin firefighters that have died in the line-of-duty.
The WSFM website tells:
On April 16, 1996 then Governor Tommy G. Thompson signed into law, legislation designating Wisconsin Rapids as the site of the Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial. “Wisconsin firefighters put their lives on the line every time they battle a blaze and it is only fitting that we honor those who were lost in the line of duty,” Gov. Thompson said. “The State Firefighters Memorial is a tremendous project that will make sure we never forget the courage, bravery and dedication of our firefighters. And Wisconsin Rapids is an ideal location for the memorial because of its central location in the state.”
With the city chosen, the Wisconsin State Firefighters Memorial Board of Directors set about finding a suitable existing park in the city to house the memorial. They placed the utmost importance on peaceful locations without high traffic or an industrial image. After a careful examination of the sites in the area, the memorial committee selected Ben Hansen Park on the southwest side of the city. The park is along the west side of the Wisconsin River, providing the peaceful and somber atmosphere the memorial requires. In addition, the park’s existing tall trees and rolling terrain add greatly to the tranquility and serenity of the location, making it the perfect place for the memorial.
Every year since, the firefighters of Wisconsin have been improving the park and working on the long-range plan that includes the already-completed fire bell structure and some others. They are currently building a visitor center.
The Ride of Remembrance is held in a different area of the state each year and normally has 500+ motorcycles with over 700 participants who travel the 100-mile selected route.
This year the ride will start in Sauk City and end at the Hutisford Firemen’s Park. Registration on-site will open at 8:30 am, but pre-registration is available. The fee is $30, $50 for 2-up, and includes both lunch and the evening pig roast dinner.
It looks like a grand time and a great way to spend a summer’s Saturday. Even if you can’t make it, be sure to take the time to check out the Memorial’s excellent website HERE. The online registration info is on the site, too.
They have done a tremendous job of setting up this beautiful park. Click on the different pages and see what they have accomplished so far, such as the legacy wall and memorial statue. It’s a good model to follow for about 49 other states.
