BFFD memorial chosen for Tour of Honor

BONNERS FERRY — The Firefighter Memorial, in front of the Bonners Ferry Fire Department Station No. 1 at 7137 First Street has been chosen as one of seven Idaho memorials to be included in the American Motorcycle Association’s Grand Tour, Tour of Honor — A Ride to Remember.

The Tour of Honor is a self-directed ride that goes from April 1 through Oct. 31 honoring and benefiting veterans and first responders’ charities.

The American Motorcycle Associations Grand Tours have had increasing numbers of participants each year. In 2015, the Tour had 556 riders, and in 2016, there were more than 600 riders across the United States. Riders pay to participate, with a portion of their registration fee going to veteran charities.

Though there are no monetary prizes, there are a number of trophies and class-based certificates awarded. According to Alexander Schmidt, Kansas and Idaho State Sponsor for the Tour of Honor, expect a wave of riders arriving during the first week of April, each vying for one of the trophies awarded to the first three riders to visit all memorials in a given state.

Following those, and scattered throughout the season, will be Idaho riders seeking to earn Finisher Pins for completing their state; also ’tribute riders’ who are paying their respects at the memorials, as well as competitive riders who are amassing as many memorials across the country as they can in order to obtain a top-ten finish and a coveted single-digit flag number for the 2018 tour.

“These competitive riders typically ride 20,000 miles or more in a season and will be arriving from all over the country. Given the location of the Firefighter Memorial, you may see motorcycles ride by from north or south, either going to, or coming from, the Memorial,” Schmidt said.

For more information on the American Motorcycle Association’s Tour of Honor — Ride to Remember, visit http://www.tourofhonor.com/