On September 14th, 2024, Project ML-Gratitude was honored to give away two motorcycles to two very deserving veterans. Patrick Martin (near) was awarded a 2007 Kawasaki Vulcan Custom 900 that was donated by our own Tammy Vining.   Curtis Ward was awarded a 2003 Harley Davidson Fat Boy 100th Anniversary Edition, donated by Kenny Miller, proprietor of Tow Moto Co.  Kenny also volunteered to chase the ride in the event of any mechanical troubles. 

With the award of these bikes, we have been able to give away a total of nineteen motorcycles since our inception.  Partick and Curtis, we are honored to make this small gesture for the sacrifices you have made for all of us. For at the end of the day, it isn't just our land, but our people that you fought for.  With our deepest gratitude, we thank you! 

Giving away motorcycles isn't all we did that day.  We began the Gratitude Ride at someplace new.  Applewood Golf Course was gracious enough to allow us to begin our ride from their event center. It was a bit of a change, but we didn't want anyone to get bored!  After a fairly smooth registration, a beautiful performance of our National Anthem by Veronica, and the Rider's Prayer by Dave Stuht, it was KSU for a long but easy  130 mile ride behind Ride Captain, Bud "MacGyver" Allen, and a team of highly skilled blockers.  The ride made two more stops: The Lucky Mutt, and South 40 Bar and Grill for lunch and live music, before ending back at Wheelz Bar & Grill for the rest of the festivities.

Back at Wheelz, we were hard at work setting up for the giveaway, the raffle and the silent and live auctions. We were joined there by veterans  Joel Hunt and Vicente Vitela with a live podcast of Military Broadcast Radio. They graciously live broadcasted the motorcycle giveaway.  The Honor Bell was also there where they tolled the bell for John Nichlaus Bull, in his memory.