I first of all want to apologize to many of you
that will receive this message more then once. Over the last several months that we
have been working on the Veterans ORV Ride I have used 3 different computers, many
with the same e-mail addresses in my ‘group’ contacts, yet I have many e-mail
addresses that are still on one of the 3 computers. Again, please accept my
apology.
Here’s an update on the Upper Peninsula Off Road
Vehicle Trail Development Association, Western UP Trails Association, Veterans
Outdoor World USA, Veterans “Run for the Colors” ORV Ride.
A couple weeks ago we had one of our main sponsors
pull their sponsorship of the ride. Thus we had to quickly make some
changes.
While we had already received the necessary permits
from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Ottawa National Forest, we
now have applied for a permit from the Michigan Department of Transportation. We
have also contacted the Michigan State Police Post in Wakefield about our proposed
route. While we have just completed the permit application process through MDOT,
wit the EXCELLENT support we have received from MDOT, along with our elected
officials, we are moving forward with our schedule and route.
The ride will be a 1-day ride, Saturday, Sept 27th,
2014. The ride will get together between 10:00 am CT and 11:00 am
CT, at the Wakefield American Legion. We will leave the
Wakefield American Legion Post, go on a fun and very scenic ride toward Watersmeet.
We will then return to the Wakefield American Legion for a picnic supper provided by
the excellent people at the Legion. The date of this goes with the Michigan No ORV
Trail Sticker required weekend, legislation that was led by the UP ORV Trail
Development Association and moved along in our State Legislature by State Senator
Tom Casperson, and signed into law this past spring by Gov. Rick Snyder. Thus you
don’t need a Michigan ORV Trail Sticker to go on this ride.
With the great support of the Lake States Resource
Alliance, the ride and dinner is at NO COST to any and all Veterans, no matter what
branch of the service, time of service, disability or no disability. The ride is
FREE to everyone, and depending upon numbers of participants from non-veterans will
determine the very low cost of the dinner for the non-veterans. We want ANYONE,
Veteran or non-veteran to show support of our Veterans by taking part in the ride.
We are looking for people with Side-by-Sides to help us by providing a seat for a
Veteran (if needed).
What is also important right now is if you can
please get the word out and help us get as many people as possible to participate in
the ride, and if you know of a Veteran to please help us in getting them to go on
the ride with us. We’re anticipating a very colorful ride as this is at the time of
our usual Fall Colors. This ride takes us through the Ottawa National Forest, we’re
going to go by secluded lakes, and over clear streams. Make sure you bring a
camera! We’re going to end the fun day with a picnic supper and hear from some
special guest speakers. We’ve invited elected officials, representatives from the
Michigan Veterans Administration, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, elected
officials and other guest speakers. Here’s a great chance to not only meet and be
with others that served, but to show our appreciation for their service. We’ve
invited the media to attend.
You’ll hear from David Kohn, from Wisconsin and the
Veterans Outdoor World. David will talk about the many outdoor activities that VOW
does and has planned. From Fishing to Hunting events. While this is our first
Vet’s ORV Ride, planned by the Upper Peninsula ORV Trail Development Association,
Western UP Trails Association and VOW, we plan on making this an annual
event.
I really want to thank so many that are helping us
on this first Vet’s “Run for the Colors” ORV Ride. Our main financial supporter of
this event this year is the Lake States Resource Alliance and the Wakefield American
Legion. I want everyone to know how fortunate we have been to work with the
Michigan DNR, Michigan DOT, and the Ottawa National Forest through the permit
process. I also want to thank Greg Andrews and the Michigan Veterans Agency for all
their help. Special thanks to our UP ORV TDA club member, Western UP Trails
Association, along with the Marquette County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The
MCCVB provided posters before we knew about the changes in the location of the ride
and the dinner, and they printed those posters at no charge.
A special thanks to all of you for your
understanding in the changes as we hope you will still participate in the
ride.
The biggest thanks to goes to those that this ride
is all about…our Veterans!
If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me;
sschulz@jamadots.com My
home phone number is 906-884-9101, my
cell phone is 906-236-1143.
Thank-you!
Skip Schulz
Upper Peninsula ORV Trail Development Association
President
610 Greenland Rd, Ontonagon, Mi 49953