– Fallen Heroes Memorial Honor Ride June 13

Jamestown (CSi) The North Dakota Patriot Guard’s eighth annual Fallen Heroes Memorial and Honor Ride was held Saturday at the Jamestown Civic Center.

There were about 300 people in atttendance.

The memorial honored three North Dakota men who were killed in combat while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. Sgt. 1st Class Darren M. Linde, of Devils Lake, and Spc. Tyler Orgaard, of Bismarck, who were killed in action on Dec. 3, 2012, when an improvised explosive device struck the vehicle they were riding in in southern Afghanistan. Both soldiers were assigned to the 818th Engineer Company (Sappers) of the North Dakota National Guard.

Also honored was Marine Sgt. Michael Bitz, originally from Wishek, was killed in action on March 23, 2003, near Nasiriaya, Iraq. He was assigned to the 2nd Assault Amphibious Battalion, 2nd Marine Division.

A North Dakota Patriot Guard ride Captain, George Quigley, of Jamestown a says about 175 people were signed up for the honor ride, that took place after the memorial, with proceeds from the event going to other Patriot Guard events that honor those who died for the country.

The families of all three men were present at the Fallen Heroes Memorial. The North Dakota Patriot Guard presented each family with a plaque honoring their soldier’s or Marine’s sacrifice and a painted portrait of their family member.

The Patriot Guard also honored the Gold Star families from North Dakota. Gold Star families are the families of service members who have died in combat or in service to the country.

The keynote speaker at the Fallen Heroes Memorial was Col. Giselle Wilz, a veteran of Desert Storm, who said one of the best ways to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the U.S. was to share their stories.

Previously…

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown Civic Center will host the North Dakota Patriot Guard sponsored, “Fallen Heroes Memorial and Honor Ride June 13 & 14, 2014.

He event will honor Sgt 1^st Class Darren Linde, Marine Sgt. Michael Bitz and Spec. Tyler Orgaard. This ride will honor the last of the 26 North Dakota soldiers killed in action.

The Schedule Includes:

Friday June 13th

5-p.m., the Fallen Heroes Memorial Steak Fry.

Civic Center Doors open at 5-p.m., for the social hour

Steak Fry at 6-p.m., and a chance to win $2,500 in cash prizes, Tickets $20

8-p.m., to 10-p.m., Live Music

Cash Bar all evening…must be at least 21 year old to enter designated alcohol sales premises.

Saturday June 14^th

10-a.m. – 12 noon, Registration for the Honor Ride, $10 per person

12 noon Memorial program and presentation to families of the fallen soldiers

1:15-p.m., Honor Ride leaves from the Jamestown Civic Center.

5:30-p.m., Free meal for Honor Ride participants and Gold Star families