Milam County Memorial Ruck and Ride set for Dec. 17
With holidays commemorating the sacrifice of our troops, the service of our veterans, and the celebration of independence, why would Milam County need another event which encompasses those same ideals?
Bobbie Wiesman, founder of the Milam County Memorial Ruck and Ride, has a simple answer, “…because it is the living that suffers the loss.”
First responders and military service members go to their work every day not knowing if it will be an extraordinary day at the office or not. It is easily forgotten the impact that has on their families. The Milam County Memorial Ruck and Ride is unlike other commemorative events in that the community participates actively with the families celebrating the honorees. This year’s honorees are MSGT Charles Price III, 2LT Darryn Andrews, and Texas State Game Warden Chris Wilson. The Ruck and Ride will be held on Dec. 17 with a Gold Star Family lunch following at VFW Post 2010 in Cameron.
After four years of rucking and motorcycle riding, this event has become a staple in the Combat Veteran Motorcycle Association in the central Texas area. It was a chance meeting of Ride Leader, Matt Klatt, with Grace Price, mother of MSGT Price, when they discovered Klatt had served with Charles Price in Charlie Company 3/41 at Fort Hood. Klatt will meet all riders at 10 a.m. in the Brookshire Brothers parking lot in Rockdale with a departure time of 10:30 a.m.
The ruck portion of the event has been hosted by Army veteran amputee celebrities, such as Earl Granville and Kris Biggs, along with their fellow Operation Enduring Warrior counterpart, Rick Kolberg. James Pratt and J.D. Sumrall, Cameron Volunteer Firefighters, have even rucked in their full gear. Veterans and community members alike have enjoyed this tradition and return year after year to make the walk/ruck to Denio’s Furniture and back. The ruck will begin at the VFW Post 2010 at 9 a.m.
This event is not possible without a growing interest from the Milam County area. Participation by organizations, families, and individuals is encouraged. While the task of walking 8 miles may seem daunting, it is a challenge everyone who has embarked on finds ultimately rewarding. If walking or rucking doesn’t appeal to you, then consider riding. While motorcycles are given priority on the trip from Rockdale to Cameron, vehicles are welcome to follow behind. Many participants decorate their trucks and cars in honor of the fallen. Also all motorcycles, regardless of club affiliations, are welcome to join in the ride. Look for more information on the Milam County Memorial Ruck and Ride Facebook page or reach out to Bobbie Wiesman at designingbobbie@gmail.com.
First hosted in 2017, this annual event features simultaneous events of an 8-mile ruck in Cameron and a 30-mile motorcycle ride beginning in Rockdale and ending in Cameron. The mission of the event is to remember the lives of hometown heroes who died in service to their country, state, or community from Milam County. Secondly, it is the goal of the event to gather family members of those fallen heroes for comradery with the community.
A ruck is a march/walk with a weighted pack. While a ruck is a maneuver in land navigation for infantry troops, it is chosen to memorialize the commitment our hometown heroes make in their service. While many choose to carry on the tradition of a pack loaded down with gear. All are welcome to walk without one as well. This year’s ruck will be launched from the new VFW Post 2010 at 1111 W Central Avenue in Cameron. The ruck will depart at 9 a.m. sharp and follow the Old Waco Road to Hwy 77 N and turn around at Denio’s Furniture. Then return to the VFW Post 2010 to meet up with the motorcycle ride. This ruck is significant as it follows the 2LT Darryn D. Andrews Memorial Highway.
A modification to the ruck for the commemoration of our heroes’ commitment is the ride portion. The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, led by Matt Klatt (aka Roadrunner), will depart from the Brookshire Brothers parking lot in Rockdale at 10:30 a.m. They will proceed east on Hwy 79, then turn north on Hwy 77 to Cameron, Texas to the VFW Post 2010. This route follows the MSGT Charles Price III Memorial Highway. All motorcycles are welcome to join and a procession of vehicles is encouraged to follow behind the motorcycles.
At 11 a.m., the Gold Star Family lunch will begin at Post 2010. The community is welcome to eat and join in the celebration of the lives our community has lost. Remembrance will be given to MSGT Charles Price III and 2LT Darryn Andrews, both US Army. They will also include the honor of Texas State Game Warden Chris Wilson.