No matter how many Vet Runs Dar Sherman organizes or watches, it always gets to her when bikers depart for the tour together from Balaton.
“My heart overflows,” Sherman said Saturday, shortly before bikers took off during the 11th Annual Vet Run. “Sometimes I cry when they take off — that’s pretty cool.”
The Vet Run started in 2016, and Sherman has been a part of it since then in honor of her late husband, Dale, who served in the United States Army.
“I enjoy it, seeing everybody,” Sherman said.
This year’s run once again began in Balaton and included stops in Russell, Ghent, Wood Lake, Milroy and Breezy Barn — 110 miles all told.
“I do this to help out the vets,” said another Vet Run organizer Jimmy Skarl. “I have a lot of veterans in my family. It’s our way of giving back to the veterans. I personally am not a vet — I wasn’t able to serve in the military — so this is my way of giving back to the vets.”
Skarl takes a lot of satisfaction from being able to be a part of the run.
“I love seeing everyone come out here and help us support all the vets,” he said.
Every year, proceeds from the Vet Run go to Eagle’s Healing Nest out of Sauk Centre, which is a non-profit organization committed to serving the needs of veterans, service members and their families who suffer from the effects of trauma, including PTSD, anxiety and addiction.
“We also try to give back to the town; last year, we did a picnic table,” Sherman said. “We haven’t decided what we’re going to do this year.”
Riders this year came from as far away as Litchfield and Willmar.
“We have people come from all over the place,” Skarl said. “We’ve had friends and family come from Michigan. They’re coming from quite a way.”
Besides the ride itself, the Vet Run includes meals, a raffle, a bike show, music and an evening auction.
JIMMY SKARL WELCOMES bikers taking part in Saturday’s Balaton Vet Run. Skarl is one of the organizers of the annual fundraiser.
