Nationwide motorcycle tour starts in Wisconsin to raise money for wounded veterans

An American flag began a 14,000-mile journey on the back of a motorcycle Saturday in a nationwide campaign to raise money for wounded veterans.

The flag embarked on the Patriot Tour, a 100-day journey sponsored by the Nation of Patriots, a nonprofit group whose mission is to enhance the lives of wounded veterans and their families.

Following a ceremony at Harley-Davidson of Madison, several hundred bikers rode the first stage of the tour on mostly rural highways through western Wisconsin and Iowa.

“We are picking up more riders as we go,” said Bill Sherer of Sussex, founder and executive director of Nation of Patriots.

Before the tour ends in September, more than 150,000 people will have participated in moving the flag from town to town across 48 states and back to Wisconsin.

The flag travels on the back of a motorcycle and is transferred to a new flag bearer at each destination along the route. At times, it will be escorted by as many as 500 motorcyclists.

The goal of this year’s tour is to raise more than $200,000. Over the past seven years combined, more than $500,000 has been raised.

Nation of Patriots says it’s run entirely by volunteers and that overhead costs are covered by corporate sponsors and annual T-shirt sales.

“It’s important for people to understand that every dollar they contribute to this effort is put directly into the hands of wounded vets and their families,” Sherer said.

In 2009, he rode through all 33 states east of the Mississippi River, carrying a flag on the back of his motorcycle in support of veterans, mostly from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

During that ride, he realized that his one voice wasn’t strong enough to rally a nation, and thus came the idea for the Patriot Tour.

“It wasn’t a person, but it was a symbol that people would get behind,” Sherer said.

The Patriot Tour’s flag has flown over the U.S. Capitol and several state capitols. It has flown with the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels and has been on military bases across the country.

Often, the riders are met with tearful salutes and hugs.

“People are standing on the curbs, waving flags and cheering. The ride is a great emotional thrill,” said Wade Fletcher, who helped organize the first Patriot Tour in 2010.

Participation in the tour costs nothing, although riders are asked to make a $5 donation.

Nation of Patriots works closely with the Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals to identify wounded vets and their families in need.

The money can be used for many things, including household expenses.

“I know of a vet in Beaver Dam who needed a new furnace and couldn’t afford it. We were able to make the arrangements for that,” Fletcher said.

After more than 100 destinations along the tour, and a ceremony at each of them, the flag will return to Beaver Dam for a Sept. 9 homecoming ceremony at the Dodge County Fairgrounds.

Eventually, the flag will probably be given to a VA hospital.

“It should not be on my mantel or anyone else’s. It should be for everyone to enjoy,” Sherer said.