Motorcycle rally raises funds local VFW

OSBURN –– For the fifth straight year, the Serving Our Military Mountain Ride & Rally has been gathering in October to raise funds for the Silver Valley’s veterans – this year they really outdid themselves.

Last week, organizer Don Byrd presented VFW Post 1675 commander Chris Marker with a check for $2,700, almost double what they donated in 2022.

The motorcycle rally and ride begins at Timbers Roadhouse in Cataldo and runs through the Silver Valley, where the riders raise funds through donations, raffle ticket sales, and the registration fees for the event.

Marker told the News-Press that without the money, several of the opportunities that they provide both local veterans and other organizations would not be possible. As many of the local veterans continue to age, and with costs of living seemingly always on the rise, being able to offer them some help when they need it is one of the tenants of the VFW.

“We use some of the money for our relief fund, which goes directly toward helping veterans with medical bills or a tank of gas,” Marker explained. “We also use it for our Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy essay contest prizes.”

The money is also used to fund events like the VFW’s quarterly Stand Down.

Stand Downs have become major events that offer a wide range of items and services to all veterans in need. The veterans who attend each stand-down are able to receive referrals for health care, employment, substance abuse treatment, mental health assistance, and other vital services.

Each year, the essay contests allow Silver Valley youth to get involved with the local VFW and potentially land them hundreds to thousands of dollars in prize money if their essay is successful at the district, state, and national competition levels.

Byrd and his fellow organizers first got the idea for the Mountain Ride five years ago, when a man who was walking cross-country for veterans stayed at the Trail Motel.

"I had been looking to do a project for bikers in the area," Byrd said. "Once I heard this guy's story, I had done my research…and decided that this is where I was going to go with this."

“We’re just really thankful these guys do this every year, and every year they donate the money to us,” Marker said. “We are responsible for raising our own funds – which we do through our monthly breakfasts, but anything we get donated is appreciated greatly.”