The 14th annual Durango Veterans Run rolled into the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial Park in Ignacio on Friday, Sept. 4. This year’s event hosted by the Southern Ute Veteran’s Association, included the National Anthem sung by Marlena Begay-Valdez. Dominic Sage and family provided refreshments in honor of tribal Veterans from his family; Maurice Sage Sr., Maurice Sage Jr., Tim Watts, and Ray Sage Sr. Flags were sponsored this year for Southern Ute tribal members and local citizens from the Ignacio area; Jack Frost Jr., Arthur Johnny Weaver, Tim Watts, Randy Baker Sr., Roger Price Sr. Edward Lee Brown, Joey Atencio, Harvey “Rob” Robbins, Ray Celestino Lopez and Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell during the Memorial Day Healing Fields event in Durango. The run raising over money to assist local Veterans directly through the Southern Ute Veterans Association, Blue Star Moms, and the Veterans Relief Committee (VRC).
Veterans from across the country rode into the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial Park in Ignacio, Colo., as part of the 14th Annual Durango Veterans Run, as part of the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally.
Southern Ute Veterans Association Commander, Gordon Hammond (USMC) welcomes the riders to the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial Park in Ignacio, Colo.
Read 'em and weep, Veterans Motorcycle Run organizer, Buddy Baxter.
The Southern Ute Veterans Association (SUVA) hosted the 14th Annual Durango Veterans Motorcycle Run, Friday, Sept 4 at the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial Park. The annual motorcycle and poker run raised money to directly assist local veterans. Pictured, seated left to right, Demetrius Lewis, Buddy Baxter and organizer, Shannon Brown. Standing, left to right SUVA Commander, Gordon Hammond (USMC), Bruce LeClaire (Army), Rudley Weaver (Navy) and Southern Ute Councilmember, Marty Pinnecoose.
Ernestine Maez, receives the "luck of the draw" from Buddy baxter and Shannon Brown, organizers of the Veterans Motorcycle Run.
Erika Kososik and Bo Watts try their luck to make a good poker hand, as the next card is drawn during the poker run.
Leigh Sage, presents gifts to the women veterans in attendance, after being recognized for the “Honoring Our Women in the Military” segment of the Veterans Run.
“Honoring Our Women in the Military” was the theme of the Veterans Motorcycle Run this year. Laural Cohen (USAF), Sharon Ustianowski (Navy), Delphina Dee (USAF), Sandra Pelto (USAF) and Jan Nichols (Army) were recognized and honored with a Challenge Coin presented to them from the Southern Ute Veterans Association, for their service.
Veterans Motorcycle Run organizer, and Sky Ute Casino Sales Associate, Shannon Brown welcomes the riders to the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial Park.
Southern Ute Veterans Association members, Rudley Weaver (Navy) and Bruce LeClaire recognize the "Women in the Military" and presented them with a Challenge Coin and a blessing.
Veteran motorcycle Run organizers and volunteers at the Veterans Motorcycle Run in the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial Park.
Southern Ute tribal member riders led the group into the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial Park, Friday, Sept. 4.
Dominic Sage thanks the Southern Ute Veterans Association for their recognition of the Sage's continued support of the Veterans Run by providing refreshments for the riders in honor of Tribal Veterans from his family: Maurice Sage Sr., Maurice Sage Jr., Tim Watts, and Ray Sage Sr.
Dominic Sage thanks the Southern Ute Veterans Association for their recognition of the Sage's continued support of the Veterans Run.
Southern Ute Councilmember, Marty Pinnecoose welcomes the riders to the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial Park.
Southern Ute Treasurer, James "Mike" Olguin welcomes the riders to the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial Park on behalf of the Southern Ute Tribal Council.
Yellow Jacket drum group sing an honor song in the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial Park.
The National Anthem was sung by Marlena Valdez.
Riders pay respect while a prayer was given to the Veteran riders for their safety and service.
Riders pay respect while a prayer was given to the Veteran riders for their safety and service.
Rudley Weaver (Navy) welcomes the riders to the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial Park before offering a prayer to begin the Veterans Motorcycle Run. Ignacio was the first stop in the poker run.
Riders arrive in Ignacio and proceed to fill the Southern Ute Veterans Memorial Park on the first leg of the annual event. Riders received their second card of the poker run while in Ignacio.
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
