Honoring those who have served in the United States Armed Forces is an important part of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. 

For that reason, Tuesday, Aug. 5, has been designated as Military Appreciation Day at the City of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

All veterans who are employees of the city of Sturgis will be honored at the ceremony for their service.

“This is a time we set aside to honor and thank all those who have served to keep us safe and protect our freedoms,” said Sturgis Mayor Kevin Forrester.

The Military Day ceremony gets underway at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

A joint color guard from the Army and Air Force will present the colors and Tamra Sime, will sing the National Anthem.   

Other speakers scheduled at the ceremony include Sturgis Mayor Kevin Forrester, South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden, South Dakota National Guard BG Wyatt Hansen, EAFB 28th Bomb Wing Commander Col. Erick Lord and Veterans of Foreign Wars Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Carol Whitmore. 

At 3 p.m. there will be a B-1 flyover provided by Ellsworth Air Force Base.

Following are the individuals who will be honored: 

Sturgis Ambulance Service

Aden Schillig, Navy

Jaedon Vanroekel, U.S. Army

Human Resources

Carrie Belawske, U.S. Army

Public Works

Ricky J. Bush, U.S. Army

Terry Paddock, U.S. Army

Reginald K. Lewis Jr., U.S. Army

Terry L. Williams Jr., U.S. Army 

Tim Stumpf, Air Force

City Administrator

Aaron Jordan, U.S. Army

Sturgis Police Department

Tucker Bedford, U.S. Army

Josh Buntain, Indiana National Guard

Josh Whitford, U.S. Army

Andrew Kimbell, U.S. Army 

Jameson Tebben, U.S. Army

Levi Sauder, U.S. Army

Tucker Bedford, U.S. Army 

Nate Borg, U.S. Army

Matthew Jacobs, U.S. Army

Donavan Coonrod

Sturgis Police Department Reserves

Don Gibbs, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army

Joel Ortiz, U.S. Army

Jim Meyer, U.S. Army

John Marshal, U.S. Army

Sturgis City Council

Jim Thompson, U.S. Army

Jesse Blakeman, U.S. Army

More information about the veterans’ service

Public Works

• Ricky J. Bush

U.S. Army    1988-1992 82C   Field Artillery Surveyor

Awards: Army Commendation Medal/Army Achievement Medal/Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Ribbon/Expert Marksmanship

Family: Jim & Vicki Bush (father-mother), Carin Bush (wife), Kennedy, Kaitlyn and Cooper (daughters)

• Terry Paddock

Army   Medical discharge after basic training

Family:  1 Daughter

• Reginald K. Lewis Jr.

Army  7 years of service

163 ManPad Stinger Missilz

Awards: Expert Grenade, Expert Rifle

Family: Johnetta (wife), 2 sons and 1 daughter

• Terry L. Williams Jr.

Army Reserve  1 year and 8 years Inactive Ready Reserve

54 Charlie

• Tim Stumpf, Air Force

Sturgis Ambulance Service

• Aden Schillig

• Jaedon Vanroekel

Vanroekel is currently still serving, South Dakota Army National Guard since 2014. His rank is Staff Sergeant.

Human Resources

• Carrie Belawske, Served 20 years in the U.S. Army from 1989 to 2009. Her primary job was Nuclear Weapons Maintenance Tech after Basic Training, reclassified into Ammunition Specialist. Graduated from Warrant Officer school as Ammunition Technician. Her awards include Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 Campaign Stars, Bronze Star, 2  Meritorious Service Ribbons, 4 Army Commendation Medals, 10 Army Achievement Medals, 5 Overseas Service Ribbons. She is married to Kurt Belawske, Children: Matthew Nalley, Katelin Belawske and Cassidy Belawske. Parents: Cal and Linda Corey

  City Administrator

• Aaron Jordan, U.S. Army. Jordan served in the U.S. Army from 1984 to 2020 in both the Active Army and the South Dakota Army National Guard. Awards include: Iraq Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal – 5 awards, Army Commendation Medal – 5 awards, Army Achievement Award – 4 awards.

Sturgis Police Department   Full Time Officers

 Tucker Bedford: SD National Guard 235^th MP Co. 6 years active duty

Awards: Army Commendation Medal, Army Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Mobilization Device, Overseas Service Medal

• Josh Buntain: Indiana National Guard    Served 4 years

Awards: Emergency Service Ribbon.

• Josh Whitford: SD Army National Guard   19 years 2006- current

Awards/Medals: Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ campaign star,  Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ M Device, Driver and Mechanic Badge w/ Driver Clasp, German Army Marksmanship Badge Gold, Presidential Inauguration Support Ribbon.

Promotions: Promoted to Staff Sergeant. 5 Promotions from Private to Staff Sergeant.

Accomplishments: Attended basic leadership course (BLC) and advanced leadership course (ALC), Served during the 2021 Presidential Inauguration in Washington DC, Served in Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan 2011-2012), Completed training for four MOS careers to include Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic, Fuel Supply Specialist, Horizontal Construction Engineer, and Technical Engineer. Multiple state deployments to include Winter Storm Atlas of 2013, certified resiliency training assistant (RTA) and US Army Master Driver.

• Andrew Kimbell: Army Reserve 2002-2007  Active Army 2007-2011

Awards:  E-4. Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement    Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

• Jameson Tebben: SD Army National Guard 7 years                            Awards: Army Achievement Medal.

• Levi Sauder: SD Army National Guard 12 years                          Promoted to SGT E5

• Tucker Bedford: SD Army National Guard 2018-2026
• Nate Borg: Army 2001-2006 Active Duty

 Awards: Army Commendation x 2, Army Achievement x 4, Global War On Terrorism Medal, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary, Valorous Unit Citation, Combat Action Badge, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Ribbon.  

• Matthew Jacobs: SD National Guard/ United States Army  18 years 2 Active/16 reserve 

Awards: Promoted to Sergeant First Class  Declarations Medals, Badges Citations and Campaign Ribbons: Joint Service Accommodation Medal, Army Accommodation Medal Meritorious Unit Accommodation, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, (third award) National Defense Service Medal,  Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal,  NATO Medal, Driver and Mechanic Badge. Service Campaign Medal,  Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star Armed Forces Service Medal, (second award) Multiple physical fitness awards from Sergeant Major, Leadership Award in Senior Leadership School 2024

     Sturgis Police Department Reserves

* Don Gibbs: US Marine Corps 1981 to 1987

Army National Guard 2009-2024

Awards: Meritorious Service Award, 2 Army Commendations, 2 Army Achievements Medals, 2 SD Distinguished Service Awards

• Joel Ortiz: Army 25 years.
• Jim Meyer- Army 16 years.
• John Marshal, Army 5 years
• Sturgis City Council
• Jim Thompson, U.S. Army
• Jesse Blakeman, U.S. Army