Patriot Riders won’t leave vets behind

QUASQUETON - Participants in the annual Patriot Ride motorcycle rally say they are acting upon the fundamental military belief in not leaving comrades behind.

The rally, which supports otherwise unmet needs of veterans, began seven years ago when founder Aaron Franck, who served in the Marine Corps from 1987 to 1992, said he noticed “too many veterans falling through the cracks in government programs.”

“I'm a Marine, and we don't wait around for someone else to do something,” Franck, of Stone City, said.

More than 100 cyclists left Quasqueton on Saturday morning on a 160-mile loop with stops at American Legion halls in Atkins, Marengo, Swisher and Springville before returning to Quasqueton for a steak dinner hosted by Legion Post 434.

Money raised through registration fees and raffles of donated items will benefit English River Outfitters, a nonprofit organization near Washington, Iowa, that provides outdoor getaways for veterans, most of whom are disabled.

Chuck Geertz of Muscatine said he founded the outfitters group in 2008 to fill a need that was not being met.

“Government programs get tangled up in paperwork, and we have to take care of our own,” said Geertz, who served 23 years in the Marine Corps and Army.

The proceeds of this year's Patriot Ride, he said, will advance his organization's mission to foster a healthy readjustment to civilian life through positive outdoor experiences.

“We are going to put the money toward a $16,000 track chair that will greatly expand recreational opportunities for vets with limited mobility,” Geertz said.

In his first year of operation, Geertz said the outfitters group served just 12 veterans. Last year, as donations mounted, the organization provided weekend experiences, at a cost of $500 each, to more than 350 veterans, he said.

“There is a lot of need out there - a need to pick up some loose ends,” said Jim Fink of Urbana, who was riding in his seventh Patriot Ride.

It's hard to beat having fun in support of a good cause, said Travis Letts of Manchester, who missed the first Patriot Ride but has participated in the last six.

“Aaron puts on a good ride. It's a lot of fun. Some people ride three hours before they even get here,” said Letts, who served in the Marine Corps from 1998 to 2002.

Letts said he also enjoys socializing with the other riders, most of whom have military backgrounds.