Submitted

Watching the news, where the tragedy and effects of war are daily and front page, rural western Kansas residents might feel so far from it all. There may be a sense of helplessness or confusion of what can be done to help.

The truth is that many young men and women in our own backyards are sacrificing it all for the protection of the United States of America and our way of life. Some local soldiers and families have paid the ultimate price. They might not have made the news headlines, but the loss is on the front page of every day for these families and communities.

There is something we can all do to help the families and communities through there grief and ensure their loss was not in vain. A group of patriots — Loren and Lynette Stenzel of Ness City, Ray and Chris Palmer of Hays, and Brian and Amanda Legleiter of Hays — banded together five years ago to ensure the heroes of our area are never forgotten.

On Sept. 10, a parade of motorcycles and cars will set on their course for the fifth annual CW2 Bryan Nichols/Sgt Derrick Lutters Memorial Ride. The American Legion Post in Hays will host the free registration, staging and opening to the ride that will travel to Palco to the grave site of CW2 Bryan Nichols, Ransom, to the grave site of Sgt Derrick Lutters, and finally to the Veteran’s Memorial and American Legion Post in Ness City for a complete local hero memorial and lunch provided at the Legion building.

See the schedule below for approximate times that the ride will be traveling through your area and feel free join them at any stop. Line the streets with your support for our fallen servicemen and women and the people who will never forget them. Here is your chance to help our heroes, families, communities, and American patriotism.
8:00-8:30 Registration at the Hays American Legion
9:00 KSU (Kick Stands Up) Hays thru Plainville then to Palco (41 miles)
9:45 Arrive at Palco Cemetery.
10:10 Palco to Hill City to Wakeeney (53 miles)
11:20 Arrive at Wakeeney (Fuel and water stop)
11:40 Wakeeney to Ransom (28 miles)
12:15 Arrive Ransom Cemetery
12:40 Ransom to Ness City (15 miles)
1:00 Arrive Ness City American Legion