Honoring Wisconsin Fallen Heroes
July 30^th – August 1^st, 2010

We set a goal this year to honor a few fallen heroes from Wisconsin and their families. With this in mind, we set out Friday morning to Wisconsin to visit eight extraordinary families. These families have lost their son’s and in some cases have lost their father or husband. It’s hard for me to understand their loss, but what we were doing would let these families know that their loss would never be forgotten.

Our first stop Friday morning was in Ladysmith Wisconsin for SGT Nathan Vacho. SGT Nathan Vacho, 29, of Ladysmith, WI, died in Baghdad, Iraq on May 5, 2006. SGT Vacho was assigned to the Army Reserve’s 489^th Civil Affairs Battalion, Knoxville, TN. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, he was attached to the 2^nd Brigade Combat Team, 4^th Infantry Division.  After a short break for lunch our second stop that day brought us to Loyal Wisconsin where we honored CPL Joshua M. Schmitz. CPL Joshua M. Schmitz, 22 of Loyal, WI, died December 26, 2006 in Anbar province, Iraq. CPL Schmitz was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 2^nd Marine Regiment, 2^nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC. Our third stop brought us across town to honor another brave Hero SSG Todd D. Olson. SSG Todd, D. Olson. 36, from Loyal WI, died December 27, 2004, in the 67^th combat Support Hospital in Tikrit, Iraq. SSG Olson was assigned to the National Guard’s 1^st Battalion, 128^th Infantry Regiment, Neillsville, Wisconsin.

Saturday morning started out with a wonderful tour of the High Ground Memorial in Neillsville. If anyone has a chance to see this it is a must! Our first stop on Saturday was in Fairchild Wisconsin for SPC Charles A. Kaufman. SPC Charles A. Kaufman, 20, of Fairchild, Wisconsin, died June 26, 2005, in Baghdad, Iraq. SPC Kaufman was assigned to the Army National Guard’s 1^st Battalion, 128^th Infantry, Arcadia, Wisconsin. Our second stop took us to Menomonie Wisconsin where we honored 1LT Jeremy L. Wolfe. 1LT Jeremy L. Wolfe, 27, of Menomonie, Wisconsin, was killed November 15, 2003 in Mosul, Iraq. 1LT Wolfe was assigned to the 4^th Battalion, 101^st Aviation Regiment, 101^st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY.  Our third stop a few miles down the road from Menomonie to Honor SPC Alun R. Howells. SPC Alun R. Howells, 20, of Parlin, Colorado, died August 13, 2007 in Baghdad, Iraq. SPC Howells was assigned to the 1^st Battalion, 64^th Armor Regiment, 2^nd Brigade Combat Team, 3^rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, GA. His parents now reside in Menomonie. Our fourth stop took us to Ellsworth Wisconsin where we Honored PFC Bert E. Hoyer. PFC Bert E. Hoyer, 23, of Ellsworth, Wisconsin, died March 10, 2004, in Baqubah, Iraq. SPC Hoyer was assigned to the 652^nd Engineer Company, US Army Reserve, Ellsworth, Wisconsin.

Sunday morning we were greeted with a pancake breakfast hosted by the River Falls American Legion Post 121 and the River Falls VFW Post 10818. This was truly an honor for us.  The only stop we had brought us to Hudson Wisconsin to Honor SPC Benjamin A. Smith. SPC Benjamin A. Smith, 21 of Hudson, Wisconsin, died November 2^nd, 2005, near Baghdad, Iraq. SPC Smith was assigned to the Army’s 1^st Battalion, 502^nd Infantry Regiment, 2^nd Brigade Combat Team, 101^st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY.

So on behalf of the Minnesota Memorial Riders, this weekend was dedicated to all the brave men and women we met along the way, but especially dedicated to the heroes and their families listed above. It was our honor to spend time with you. This is truly an honor.

Sincerely,

Minnesota Memorial Riders Chairman