Hundreds expected for LTD Motorcycle Tour honoring fallen area vets

By Leslie Ehrenberg

Appleton Press

It’s about honor. It’s about remembering. It’s also about fun.

The organizers of the 5th Annual LTD Motorcycle Memorial Tour are asking area Americans to come out and support the ride in honor of the three soldiers who lost their lives and all soldiers serving their country.

The ride begins in Montevideo with registration at 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 24, and the tour stops in Morris at about 3 p.m.

The annual ride is in memory of Staff Sgt. David Day, Sgt. Jesse Lhotka and 1st Lt. Jason Timmerman, who died in Iraq on Feb. 21, 2005.

Chad Turner, president of the LTD event, noted the LTD ride has come to be known as one of the bigger events of the summer in this area.

“It is an opportunity for the public to confirm they haven’t forgotten the sacrifices of these three young men from Minnesota, and the many men and women who have served our country,” Turner said.

The first year, following the return of the area Guardsman from their first deployment to Iraq, 176 supporters participated in the ride.

The second and third years included about 650. 2009’s attendance was even better with approximately 750 people.

This year, since the local soldiers are home, they are planning for a phenomenal turnout of nearly 900.

“The route will be very similar to the previous years,” he said.

Riders will take off at 10 a.m. with their first drive through in Marshall around 11:30 a.m. After driving through Canby, the riders will stop in Madison at approximately 12:45 p.m. for dinner at the Madison TACC/Armory.

The ride continues through Ortonville at about 2:15 p.m., Clinton at 2:30 p.m. and Graceville at 2:40 p.m. The rider’s next stop will be in Morris at approximately 3:09 p.m.

The last drive through will be Holloway at approximately 4:25 p.m., and riders will reach their final destination in Appleton at approximately 4:30 p.m.

In Appleton, at Hering Avenue, the riders travel down Lhotka Avenue to Munsterman Street. They will then travel down Munsterman Street to the Swift County Fair Grounds for a meal and raffle drawing will be held.

The band Pandora will play for the public starting at 6:30 p.m. The concert is in the Chuck Brown Building. Those not on the LTD ride can attend the dance and will be charged admission.

For more information about the LTD Motorcycle Memorial Tour, check out the Web site www.ltdbikers.com, or contact Chad Turner at (320) 333-8615. LINK

Chad Turner, president of the LTD event is my nephew. The annual ride is in memory of Staff Sgt. David Day, Sgt. Jesse Lhotka and 1st Lt. Jason Timmerman, who died in Iraq on Feb. 21, 2005.