UPDATED: Forgotten Eagles visit Alpena to help raise money for veterans
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ALPENA -- Dozens of motorcycles rolled into Alpena on Thursday to raise money to help veterans in need.
The Forgotten Eagles, which has six chapters in Michigan, circles the state each summer during its Ride Around Michigan fundraising campaign, collecting thousands of dollars along the way.
It is the 20th year for Ride Around Michigan and Alpena has been a stop on the circuit for the entire two decades, Forgotten Eagles Chapter No. 3 President Terry Kunst said.
After parading through town, the pack of bikes stopped at the Alpena County Courthouse for a brief ceremony at the veterans memorial. There, the riders and supporters celebrated America and freedom with the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem, and a prayer.
Kunst gave a brief talk and explained the sacrifices veterans past and present made and the role they played in preserving the rights of Americans and others. He also urged people to remember and honor those lost or missing in action.
Kunst said veterans are not immune from difficult situations in their lives and often need financial support to help them out. He said that is where the Forgotten Eagles step up.
"We try to provide for critical needs, but not long-term support," he said. "There may be a veteran that has a utility bill and ready to have a utility turned off and we can help with that, or may be behind on a car payment and they could lose their car. That is where we step in and help, up to $1,000."
Kunst said veterans seeking help are vetted and the problem verified before assistance is offered. He said it is rare a veteran tries to take advantage of the help available, but, more commonly, someone who needs a hand doesn't seek it out of pride.
"There are always a lot of veterans that are that way," he said. "I have talked to Vietnam veterans who didn't believe they were eligible for any (Veterans Affairs) health benefits."
After Kunst wrapped up his address, local service groups presented him checks to add to the pot of money collected from the ride.
Kunst said the first $1,000 will be forwarded to the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund, and the balance goes to Mission Six, which trains service dogs for veterans, and to Veterans for USA, which is a nonprofit that repurposes furniture and other personal household items so that, when a homeless veteran finds a new home, they have what they need furnish it.
"None of the money we raise goes to any of our members," he said. "We do this all on a volunteer basis and everybody pays their own way. Alpena has always been great supporters of the Forgotten Eagles and we certainly do appreciate that."
Alpena wasn't the only place in Northeast Michigan the organization stopped. They also stopped in Harrisville, Rogers City, and Atlanta, where they will spend the night.
Today, they will begin their trek back to Houghton Lake, with a handful of stops in between.
Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.com.