A long line of motorcycles made their way into Cedar Springs Saturday to honor fallen heroes. Photo courtesy of Pam Bradfield.

The John Voshel Jr. Memorial Ride for fallen police officers, fire fighters and veterans made a stop in Cedar Springs Saturday, May 18.

The ride, organized by “We the People Giving Back,” started at the Grand Rapids Home for the Veterans, then made its way to Cedar Springs and stopped at the American Legion Hall for a presentation, before traveling on to Greenville.

“We honored three Gold star families, three Purple Heart vets, eight fallen officers, four patriots, and did a random act of kindness drive by in Lakeview for cystic fibrosis,” said Pam Bradfield, a member of the group. “We were also able to surprise a Purple Heart vet with a new riding mower.”

She said there were about 200-250 bikes that took part in the ride.

Michigan State Trooper Kevin Marshall was honored for his service. He was killed on Monday, July 7, 2003, in Fremont. Photo courtesy of Pam Bradfield

Two hundred-plus motorcycles took part in the memorial ride last Saturday. Photo courtesy of Pam Bradfield

Line the streets to show your support

The John Voshel Jr. Memorial Ride for fallen police officers, fire fighters and veterans is this Saturday, May 18. We the People Giving Back (a totally volunteer organization) is hosting the motorcycle run to honor those that protect us, and they are asking citizens and businesses to line the streets and make signs to show support.

It will start at 10:30 a.m. at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, 3000 Monroe Ave., Grand Rapids, and will exit US131 at M-57 (14 Mile) about 11 a.m. and travel east to Northland Drive, and then north on Northland to the Cedar Springs American Legion Glen Hill Post, at the corner of Main and Beech St. They will be at the Legion for about an hour, then travel north on Main St. to 18 Mile, and continue east on 18 Mile.

They will make two stops, one in Cedar Springs and one in Greenville, both at the American Legion Halls, where they will recognize some of our fallen heroes and Gold Star families. This event is designed to educate communities and bring awareness about the sacrifices made by all who wear a uniform. This ride will impact nine communities in Northern Michigan, in the hopes of honoring the fallen.

Mark your calendars now for the John Voshel Jr. Memorial Ride for fallen police officers, fire fighters and veterans, on Saturday, May 18. It will start at 10:30 a.m. at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, 3000 Monroe Ave., Grand Rapids, and last until 6 p.m.

We the People Giving Back (a totally volunteer organization) is hosting the motorcycle run to honor those that protect us. We will be making two stops, one in Cedar Springs and one in Greenville, both at the American Legion Halls, where we will recognize some of our fallen heroes and Gold Star families. We also will be providing three random acts of kindness to support children with disabilities. This event is designed to educate communities and bring awareness about the sacrifices made by all who wear a uniform. This ride will impact nine communities in Northern Michigan, in the hopes of honoring the fallen.

Fallen Officers who will be recognized with special presentations:

Walker Police Officer Trevor Slot; Kalamazoo Public Saftey Officer Eric Zapata; East Grand Rapids Police Officer Bruce Van Popering; Battle Creek Police Detective Lavern Steven Brann; Montcalm Sheriff Detective William McCarthy; Michigan Conservation Officer Gerald Welling; Grand Rapids Officers Joseph Taylor, Daniel Duyst, and Robert Kozminski; and three more from the Michigan State Police.

We will be doing three random acts of kindness with this event: First at 11:00 a.m. at the VA Home for Nathan Dloughy (who has Downs syndrome); second in Lakeview, benefiting Hunt For a Cure Targeting Cystic Fybrosis; and third at 5:00 p.m. at the VA Home for Trenton Ellis (a victim of Shaken Baby Syndrome).

We are proud to have and support the many quality charities and organizations who will remain at the VA Home to give demonstrations and have informative booths while the ride takes place.

Some of these are include: Operation Injured Soldier, Voice Of Warriors, Pets for Vets, a concert by Kelly Trudell, GRPD Bomb Squad demonstrating removal techniques using their ROBOT, the GRFD demonstrating the Jaws of Life, and more.

To Pre-Register go to one of the following:  American Legion Post 101 in Greenville, or B & H Sporting Goods in Cedar Springs. Or you can register the day of the event at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans before 10:30a.m.

Please take the time to stop by and thank our heroes, visit for a while, and enjoy a great day.

For more info or questions please contact Media Relations Director Pam Bradfield at 616-984-2398 or CEO Doug Pickel at 616-255-2895.