HURRICANE – One local group honored veterans Saturday in a unique way – by providing drivers and vehicles for a rock-crawling tour of trails in Sand Mountain Off-highway Vehicle Area.
The “Hero for a Day” Veteran’s Run provided veterans and their families with an opportunity to get out on public land in four-wheel drive vehicles driven by volunteers.
“Our goal with Trail Hero is to provide access – motorized access – for both veterans on a day like today, and on a separate day, for people with special needs,” Trail Hero President Rich Klein said.
The day started with a breakfast provided by Zion Harley-Davidson, located at 2345 N. Coral Canyon Blvd. in Washington.
“We’re really, really proud to have you as our guests out here today,” Klein told the assembled volunteers and veterans. Participants included veterans from the Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm and Afghanistan.
After introductions, participants were matched with volunteer drivers and the group headed to Sand Mountain and the West Rim and West Rim Lite trails.
“We love serving the vets, and we also love four-wheeling,” Karlton Durkee said. “So we thought this was a perfect opportunity to drive from Phoenix up here to take a vet out on a trail.” Durkee himself served four years in the U.S. Navy.
Volunteers provided seats in their own off-road vehicles for veterans and their families; some veterans brought their own vehicles and took the opportunity to learn from the more experienced trail leaders.
Volunteer driver Nick Lees said his grandfather was a World War II veteran who was disabled for the last 20 years of his life.
“This kind of hits home, being here today,” Lees said, “it’s a proud moment.”
While some of the veterans were apprehensive about rock crawling at first, Klein said that changed as the day wore on.
“By the middle of the trail, everyone’s got smiles and they’re lighting up. It’s pretty fun to watch.”
“Their joy just increases as the day progresses,” Klein said.
Wives, daughters and grandchildren accompanied the veterans on the ride; Klein also paid tribute to military spouses.
After returning to Zion Harley Davidson, a flag retirement ceremony was held by Boy Scouts of America from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Coral Canyon Third Ward. About 30 flags were retired during the ceremony.
According to the U.S. Flag Code, flags that are damaged or in poor condition should be “destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” Boy Scouts have a specific retirement ceremony for that purpose.
Saturday’s event was the second of five access events sponsored by Trail Hero leading up to the Trail Hero rock sports event set for Oct. 4-7 at Sand Hollow.
“The access events are based on creating outdoor opportunities for people that aren’t necessarily able to go hiking or jump on a horse or anything like that,” Klein said.
“We focus on the motorized outdoor activities,” he said. “These are people that fought for this land and need motorized access to experience it.”
For more information about Trail Hero or getting involved in access rides, see the Trail Hero website or Facebook page.
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Volunteers offer rides to veterans and their families during the Hero for a Day access ride Saturday, Sand Hollow Off-highway Vehicle Area, Hurricane, Utah, May 27, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Trail Hero, St. George News
Volunteers offer rides to veterans and their families during the Hero for a Day access ride Saturday, Sand Hollow Off-highway Vehicle Area, Hurricane, Utah, May 27, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Trail Hero, St. George News
Veteran Monte Larsen, center, with his wife Olivia and volunteer driver Jim Horne during the Hero for a Day access ride Saturday, Sand Hollow Off-highway Vehicle Area, Hurricane, Utah, May 27, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Trail Hero, St. George News
Veteran Tony Moore, his wife Gwyneth and daughter Abby during the Hero for a Day access ride Saturday, Sand Hollow Off-highway Vehicle Area, Hurricane, Utah, May 27, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Trail Hero, St. George News
Veteran Pete Carter rides with Brian 'Woody' Swearingen during the Hero for a Day access ride Saturday, Sand Hollow Off-highway Vehicle Area, Hurricane, Utah, May 27, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Trail Hero, St. George News
Veteran Pete Carter rides with Brian 'woody' Swearingen during the Hero for a Day access ride Saturday, Sand Hollow Off-highway Vehicle Area, Hurricane, Utah, May 27, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Trail Hero, St. George News
Veteran Paul Dennis rides with Nick Lees during the Hero for a Day access ride Saturday, Sand Hollow Off-highway Vehicle Area, Hurricane, Utah, May 27, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Trail Hero, St. George News
Volunteers offer rides to veterans and their families during the Hero for a Day access ride Saturday, Sand Hollow Off-highway Vehicle Area, Hurricane, Utah, May 27, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Trail Hero, St. George News
Karlton Durkee, a veteran himself, traveled from Phoenix to volunteer for the Hero for a Day access ride Saturday, Sand Hollow Off-highway Vehicle Area, Hurricane, Utah, May 27, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Trail Hero, St. George News
Volunteers offer rides to veterans and their families during the Hero for a Day access ride Saturday, Sand Hollow Off-highway Vehicle Area, Hurricane, Utah, May 27, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Trail Hero, St. George News
Desert Roads and Trails Society President Jeff Bieber climbs an obstacle during the Hero for a Day access ride Saturday, Sand Hollow Off-highway Vehicle Area, Hurricane, Utah, May 27, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Trail Hero, St. George News
Volunteers offer rides to veterans and their families during the Hero for a Day access ride Saturday, Sand Hollow Off-highway Vehicle Area, Hurricane, Utah, May 27, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Trail Hero, St. George News
Volunteers offer rides to veterans and their families during the Hero for a Day access ride Saturday, Sand Hollow Off-highway Vehicle Area, Hurricane, Utah, May 27, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Trail Hero, St. George News
Volunteers offer rides to veterans and their families during the Hero for a Day access ride Saturday, Sand Hollow Off-highway Vehicle Area, Hurricane, Utah, May 27, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Trail Hero, St. George News
Volunteers offer rides to veterans and their families during the Hero for a Day access ride Saturday, Sand Hollow Off-highway Vehicle Area, Hurricane, Utah, May 27, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Trail Hero, St. George News
A flag retirement ceremony held at Zion Harley Davidson Saturday as part of Memorial Day activities, May 27, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Zion Harley Davidson, St. George News
Courtney Ivory salutes during a flag retirement ceremony held at Zion Harley Davidson Saturday as part of Memorial Day activities, May 27, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Zion Harley Davidson, St. George News
A flag retirement ceremony held at Zion Harley Davidson Saturday as part of Memorial Day activities, May 27, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Zion Harley Davidson, St. George News
Volunteers offer rides to veterans and their families during the Hero for a Day access ride Saturday, Sand Hollow Off-highway Vehicle Area, Hurricane, Utah, May 27, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Trail Hero, St. George News
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2017, all rights reserved.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Julie Applegate is a long-time resident and fan of Southern Utah. She brings a strong background in news writing and editing, formerly as a full-time member of the St. George News team and currently as a contributor. Julie spent several years in the software industry. She believes strongly in the role of responsible news media in society, especially at the local level.
In her spare time, Julie can be found exploring Southern Utah on foot and by four-wheel drive or spending time with her family.