SOUTHWICK- The Honor and Remember Massachusetts Chapter will be holding a ‘Ruck and Roll for the Fallen’ on Oct. 20 at 9 a.m. as well as a motorcycle run to honor fallen American service members.
The event will feature a motorcycle run in the morning from the Wick 338 motocross racetrack through several local towns, including Westfield, before riders return to Southwick. The event is in coordination with Southwick’s American Legion Post 338.
“It is to honor fallen soldiers and their Gold Star Families. It was established in Massachusetts seven years ago and we have been doing annual events for six years,” said Brian Miller, Massachusetts chapter director for Honor and Remember.
The event will also feature a “ruck,” or a hike while carrying heavy gear and supplies to simulate what soldiers often have to do when they are on the move. Each person participating in the ruck is afked to have a bag with 22 cans of non-perishable food.
Miller said that the 22 cans is supposed to represent the number of American veterans who commit suicide every day due to struggles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) caused by their time on deployment. The participation cost is $10.
The ruck will be a 5K hike beginning at 1 p.m. for the beginner’s wave. The advanced wave of participants will head out at 1:30 p.m.
Representatives from Westover Air Force Base will collect the food to use for the Pioneer Valley USO during the holidays.
Honor and Remember was originally founded in 2008 in Chesapeake, Virginia by George Lutz, a man who lost his son in Iraq in December of 2005.
Miller said that he is working out the details with Southwick’s Police and Fire Departments, but they could possibly present the two first responder’s groups with a new flag created by Lutz to honor Gold Star Families.
“Back in 2016, George Lutz created a new flag meant for Gold Star Families and first presented it on Sept. 11, 2016,” said Miller, “It’s called the ‘Honor and Sacrifice Flag’.”
The event will feature a barbecue, food trucks, and vendors after the main events. Lindsey LaBelle, a singer and songwriter from the area, will perform.
The Air National Guard has floated the idea of bringing bounce houses, although that has not yet been confirmed. There will also be a magic show as part of the event.
Peter Currier can be reached at [email protected].
