DAV Fun Run returns for second year to help Veterans access care

Lincoln saw its first and only sanctioned OHV fun run last weekend as riders took to the hills for the Second Annual Disabled American Veterans of Montana Fun Run, Oct. 3.

Montana state’s DAV commander Kevin Grantier first brought the fun run to Lincoln last year to help raise funds for the DAV’s transportation fund, which helps veterans in rural areas across the state to get to their medical appointments.

Grantier said this year’s ride was dedicated to Shannon Spencer, a Helena Marine Corps veteran who died last November at 48. Spencer, who was injured in Desert Storm, was known for his service to veterans and worked as a Veteran Employment Coordinator for the United States Veteran Affairs before his death.

The fun run this year was about double the size of last years. Although the exact number of riders wasn’t available, estimates put the number of riders at more than 100.

“The outcome was awesome,” Grantier said.

The event was marred by one accident that injured two women who rolled their side-by side on a corner near Huckleberry Pass, and Grantier said they were very fortunate to walk away from it.

This year also presented a few more challenges due to COVID-19, which meant the veteran’s organization had to have the Lincoln Ranger District approve the permit and sign off on it before getting Lewis and Clark Public Health to approve it.

“We dotted the I’s, crossed the T’s,” Grantier said. “With a poker run, everybody’s outside.”

He said they made sure to ask everyone to mask up when they were around one another.

Grantier said the main impact from the COVID-19 restrictions was that the DAV couldn’t serve food to the participants like they did last year, so he warned restaurants in Lincoln to expect an influx of hungry riders Saturday evening.

This year’s run covered a route from the Ponderosa Snow Warriors club house on Sucker Creek over to Beaver Creek and up to Huckleberry Pass, before returning down Beaver Creek and heading through town along Highway 200, before returning to the clubhouse.

Although the largest sponsor of this years’ event was Helena Abstract and Title Company in Helena, Grantier said many local businesses, including the Wheel inn, Lambkins, The Wilderness, The Bootlegger and Citizen’s Alliance Bank, all donated to help make the run possible.

Although the total amount raised by the event wasn’t yet available, Bonnie Christian noted the winners of the fun run hands all donated their winnings back to the organization. Grantier said all the money raised, aside from the cost of insurance, went to the DAV to help veterans.

Grantier gave the Ponderosa Snow Warriors a shout out for letting them use their clubhouse, and also thanked Lincoln Ranger District Recreation Specialist Josh Lattin for his hard work in helping them secure the permit.

“We can’t appreciate enough all the community does,” Grantier said. “We have such a huge Veteran population in Lincoln.” He added the number of veterans here has been prompted discussions about possibly basing a van in Lincoln to help local veterans make it to their appointments at Ft. Harrison. With the Veteran’s Choice program expanding the options for veteran health care, veterans may have appointments at VA-approved outpatient clinics in other towns, but Grantier said they can get rides to those as well through the DAV.

“As long as it’s a VA appointment, we’re still transporting them,” he said.

Anyone interested in donating to the DAV, or in becoming a member, can contact Grantier at 406-495-2089.

“I can’t speak enough about membership,” he said. “Membership is the heart of the organization.”