NORTH LOGAN – The Hero’s Tribute was held last week, in honor of fallen soldiers. It was a three day event, taking place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Friday, was the Hero’s Tribute banquet where they used the day to fundraise money for Rock Mountain Veterans Center and help it continue operations.
Saturday was the Lance Corporal Michael J. Allred Ride for the Fallen. The biker community came together as friends and family to ride their bikes in Cache County on a designated route and came back where they started to enjoy food afterwards. The event also paid tribute to Sgt. Lee Sorensen and Officer Eric Estrada who were killed in the line of duty in Tremonton on Sunday, Aug. 17.
Allred was the first combat casualty out of Cache Valley in the war on terror. After his passing, his family established the ride as Michael was one who loved riding a bike.
According to event organizers, Michael wanted to go to Utah State University after the Marine Corp, but didn’t get that opportunity. His family, through their grief, chose to serve by creating this ride and raising funds. They have raised $98,000 for scholarships at Utah State University and each student who applies will be given $1,000.
Sunday was the big community event, a patriotic devotional, in North Logan’s Elk Ridge Park. It was geared toward all residents to participate.
The whole event was put on by the Rocky Mountain Veterans Center in conjunction with Lance Corporal Michael J. Allred Foundation. They do three full missions: to honor the fallen, to serve the Gold Star families and to serve local veterans.
A Gold Star family is the family of a service member who died in the line of duty.
With their three missions, there is also another mission they try to reach and gain. That is to make sure veterans know here, in Cache Valley, there is somebody who understands, fellow veterans, brothers and sisters and they’re willing to listen.
“We’re willing to be on the other end of a phone call,” Les Patterson said. “We’re willing to set and hold a hand and give a hug, we’re willing to cry with you. We’re willing to fight the demons with you, to change that 22 a day.”
Twenty-two veterans are lost every day to suicide.