Annual Appreciation Ride 2017

Well, the 2017 Soldiers on Sleds Annual Appreciation Ride is over and in the books. Time now to start planning for next years ride.

We wish to thank all of our sponsors who proudly came through again this year. They include, Northland Docks, FXR Racing, Wisconsin Public Services, Stillwaters Bar and Grill, Marshfield Clinic, Liesen and Pinzel Dental Offices, Wisconsin National Guard, Ryden Marine, Jim and Kathy Kane, Pat and Kathy Blair, William (Hop Crow) Kokaska and his daughter PJ Kokaska, Stormy Kromer, St. Germain ATV Club Inc., Steven Soltweidel, Mia Heike and Frank Beaton, Susan Stein, and Roger and Carla Klein. This team of sponsors, volunteers, and contributors all pulling together is what makes it all happen.

This year we had a total of ten participants, five of them all active duty soldiers, and three of them retired army, Roger Klein and I. But all in all we were all veterans of the armed forces who fought bravely or provided support, in many different conflicts over the years, and in areas all throughout the world. This group of individuals bring many stories to the table, and that sharing is part of why we do what we do. We all learn from each other, and are still learning, no matter what our ages are.

This is a photo of the group just prior to boarding their assigned sleds and showing off their new their brand new Stormy Kromer mittens and new FXR snowmobile suits. A big thanks goes out to Andrea Ludtke of Stormy Kromer for making this happen.

They're also wearing their new FXR Racing suits generously donated from FXR Racing. Thank you Carla Reimer for making this happen for us again this year. It is a joy to see the smiles on these faces when they receive their new attire. They simply cannot believe that someone or a company really appreciates the sacrifices they make to keep us safe.

Our week-end started this year on a Thursday. A soldier called and asked if it was possible to come a day earlier and take in some ice fishing. Well low and behold there were others that wanted to do the same thing so a quick call to Neal and Renee of Northland Docks and the owners of Camp Shed Horn in Watersmeet MI, set the wheels in motion and generously obliged their request. So on Thursday they started to arrive. By early Friday morning they were out on the ice and drilling holes and placing tip ups. In fact it got to be a competitive hole drilling exercise between Sergent First Class Richard Helm and Staff Sergent Jennifer Driebel to see who could drill a whole the fastest. Army competition at its finest.

       Soon after tip ups were placed and dressed with minnows. There was a novice fisherman, Sergent Cara Butterfield, who was shown how to bait her hook, clean the ice hole, adjust her depth, and bite off the tail of the minnow. Sgt Dreibel told her that it would give the minnow more action. Here she is:

It didn't take long to get a flag on one of the tip ups and here is Sgt. Tiffany Georges attending to that charge.

One small Northern was caught, which I filleted and put into the freezer. See the happy faces. Here is Sgt. Cara Butterfield holding the fish followed by Sgt. Tiffany Georges.

Staff Sgt, Butterfield, before the Northern is filleted!

Sgt. Tiffany Georges display the catch of the day!

As you can see below, Sgt. Butterfield took those fillets home, and her eight year old son, Brody,  was elated as he devoured his mom's catch.

SSgt Cara Butterfield cooks up the Northern fillet.

Mom brought home some fish and made this one happy fella!

Friday Evening we took everyone to the Gateway Lodge in Land of Lakes for a typical Wisconsin fish fry. However, because the weather was very warm, the snowmobile trails leading to the lodge were in very poor condition so we decided it would be safer, and less wear and tear on our sleds, to go there by car. The fish was very good. After dinner we headed back to Camp Shed Horn to relax. Some soldiers took advantage of the sauna at the camp, while others watched TV, and still others played a card game, which I am told, everyone was playing and involved till the late evening.

Arriving at the Camp early Saturday morning we made the soldiers coffee, juice, pancakes, and venison bacon. This breakfast was quite a hit with everyone, as they awoke one by one and ventured sleepily into the kitchen.  The venison bacon was provided by Sgt. Bruce Free, and Sergent First Class Terry Marsh. But then it was time to suit up in their new FXR suits and head out to mount the sleds. However, as you can see from the photos below, by afternoon the trails were totally impassible. But that morning they we still somewhat OK, and our sled instructor Captain Roger Klein (Retired) instructed the novice riders and took them out heading North towards Marenisco, MI from Watersmeet, MI.

Viewing the poor trail conditions.

Viewing the trails behind the sled.

Captain Klein goes over the controls with SSgt Butterfield......

We were all loaded up and they were off on their morning ride. When they returned I took this short video of their arrival.                                                                                                                            

However, the trails were really in poor shape and we decided that our next stop at Stillwaters in Star Lake would be via automobile. So we loaded everyone up and we were on our way. Destination Stillwaters Restaurant and Bar. We were greeted by the best cook and staunch supporter of Soldiers on Sleds year after year, Mr. Chuck Altamore owner of Stillwaters and a Navy man to boot. He is such a great guy and always tells me,  "Anything for the Vets!".

Stillwaters Restaurant and Bar on Highway K in Star Lake, Wisconsin

Once we arrived we were greeted by a very strong supporter of our military, our waitress, Debby, who always makes a point, year after year, of providing the group with their first round of appetizers. As we were seated at the tables that were brightly decorated we were met by a reporter from the Lakeland Times, who wanted to get some photos of our event and some information on who was there in our group. Shortly thereafter, the menus were passed out, and at my encouragement, a lot of the soldiers chose to get the Italian Beef Sandwich, which is by far is the best Italian Beef in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. All of the beef at Stillwaters is made in house, as is their delicious Hot Gardinera and sauteed sweet peppers. The chef himself greeted us, and posed for some photos. Personally, I go to Stillwaters as often as I can and always get the Italian Beef. It's too far to travel to Chicago. After all, if you can go there, and get it from Chuck, why would you venture anywhere else......

After dining and some  great conversation we were off to our next destination, Bents Camp Resort and their annual Radar Races and Bikini Run fundraiser. With the weather as warm as it was, there was a lot of slush on the ice. We were pleasantly surprised to learn the one of our soldiers, Major Angela Arntz, was a former professional snow cross racer, who toured extensively throughout Wisconsin, Minnessota and Michigan. Currently she is a practicing Nurse Practitioner in the US Army National Guard. It was comforting to know she was on board with us old folks, Roger and I. You just never know when you'd need her in an emergency, and after all, we had some pretty nifty first aid gear provided by the Marshfield Clinic in Minocqua.

Here is a link to an aerial video of the Radar Run.

 https://www.facebook.com/369214014480/videos/pcb.10155037412014481/10155037406319481/?type=3&theater


Soon it was time to go and return to the camp. We had made no firm plans for dinner, and one of the soldiers thought she'd like to use the kitchen and make dinner for all of us. So her and another soldier headed off to the local market in Watersmeet MI, to pick up a few things. I know for me, and probably Roger too and a few others, that I had not had a supper (New England term) of hot tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches since I was a kid. SSGT Buttefield used her culinary skills to make this soup, pretty much from scratch, while SFC Helm helped out in the kitchen with the sandwiches. Everyone seemed to enjoy their impromptu evening meal. Just goes to prove, that these soldiers are always ready, and can certainly improvise when needed.

Can we have seconds?

As you can see there wasn't a morsel of leftovers left behind.

The camp cook takes her bows!

It was still early so after dinner some of them ventured out, and down the road for a visit to Roger's Bar which is located on old highway State Route 2, within walking distance of the camp. Once inside they were greeted by the local clientele. Someone announced to the other patrons, who they were and why they were in the neighborhood, with which they were treated like the belonged there. Just another one of the family of locals, and they had a great time talking, and enjoying their new found friends, enjoying the local hospitality. But just as soon as the fun started it was time to head back to camp. The next morning we would be saying our good byes.

When I arrived at the camp the next morning, I brought Paczki's that were freshly baked at the local Pick n Save in Eagle River. Some in the group had never had them before, and they were quickly devoured.

Pazki's in preparation for Fat Tuesday!

But then it was time to clean up, strip the beds, pack up, and head on out. One things for sure, you never have to ask a soldier to make a bed or help clean up, They just jump in and do it. Here is Sargent Jennifer Dreibel, as she tries to close the hatch on already stuffed car.

Sgt. Driebel packs her car.

It's hard to end a great week-end like this and say good bye to new friends and old ones alike. But I think we achieve our goals and objectives. They all stated they had a great time, even though there was limited snowmobiling. It didn't really seem to matter, and the camaraderie was much more important to them. Some said just getting away together with others of their soldier community, spending time with each other, and not have in a worry in the world during their week-end, was well worth the trip they took to get there. But for us, the people who volunteer and who run the Soldiers on Sleds organization it is not over by no means, as we start to plan again for next year.

Thanks again to all those who support us in achieving our goals and objectives. We will certainly do it all again next year for sure. We hope you will join us in support and in spirit, even if you cannot be there in person...........