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For a good cause

Annual run in Balaton aims to support veterans and create awareness

Photo by Jenny Kirk Balaton residents Scott Thomasson, left, and Jim Skarl, organizers of the 2nd annual Veterans Run, pose in front of their bikes and last year’s list of sponsors. The two are wearing this year’s T-shirt. Anyone is welcome to attend the run and/or the steak supper (free for all veterans) and live band performance.

BALATON — Scott Thomasson and Jim Skarl believe wholeheartedly in respecting and supporting American veterans, which is why the two Balaton men initiated a veterans run last year.

“A couple of us had a friend in Vietnam and he was telling us about how badly he was treated when they got back,” Thomasson said. “Somehow, we had to show them that it shouldn’t happen again.”

Skarl said he’s been on hundreds of runs for charity, including many of them for cancer victims. He said he also has a lot of family members and friends who were in the military.

“It really hits home for me,” Skarl said. “So we wanted to do something to give back to the local vets in the area.”

This year, the 2nd annual Veterans Run slated for June 17 is expected to more than double in size, allowing more funds to be raised for the cause.

“We had 450 attend last year,” Thomasson said. “We probably had 110 on the ride. We’re hoping to at least double it this year.”

Kickstands will be up at 1 p.m., leaving from the Balaton Liquor Store. Vehicles of any kind are actually welcome to take part in the run.

“It’s $20 for a bike and if they have a rider, it’s an extra $10,” Thomasson said. “If any vehicles want to come along, it’s $10 a person. All vehicles and hot rods are welcome as well. Last year, the people in vehicles had a lot of fun.”

The run will end at the old football field in Balaton, with a steak supper being served between 6-7 p.m. There is no cost to eat for veterans.

“We have 1,200 ribeyes, 600 brats, 200 to 300 hamburgers and 100 to 200 pork burgers,” Thomasson said. “Veterans eat for free.”

Along with money raised through a silent auction and raffle, proceeds will go to Eagle’s Healing Nest, a nonprofit organization in Sauk Centre that prides itself in healing the invisible wounds of war. By embracing veterans, servicemembers and their families, staff at Eagle’s Healing Nest believe they can help them make an easier transition back into the civilian world.

“The profits from this year’s Vet Run will go to the Eagle’s Nest, which treats PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder),” Thomasson said. “We ask the vets where they want the proceeds to go. The local veterans guide us where they want the money to go. The more I read about Eagle’s Nest, the more I like it.”

It’s been 40 years since the end of the Vietnam War, but according to the Smithsonian, more than a quarter million Vietnam veterans still have PTSD. Some signs of military PTSD include: vivid memories, flashbacks, feeling emotionally disconnected to family and others, losing interest in things you previously cared about, sleeplessness, nightmares, anger, irritability and being constantly on guard.

“I was never in the military, never had the opportunity to go overseas, but I’ve seen a lot of people come back from war and it affects a lot of people differently,” Skarl said. “I couldn’t imagine going over there and then trying to transition back to civilian life. There are a lot of people out there who are struggling with transitioning.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Veteran’s Affairs, Minnesota has between 350,000 and 550,000 veterans, which is just above the national average. California, Texas and Florida have the highest population of veterans in the country.

“Many people look down on the veterans, but they’re heroes,” Skarl said. “They deserve to be honored and respected.”

The VA statistics also reveal that 11-20 percent of veterans from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom have PTSD in a given year. About 12 percent of Gulf War (Desert Storm) vets also have PTSD. It’s estimated that 30 percent of Vietnam veterans have had PTSD in their lifetime.

“I have an uncle who is a Vietnam veteran, and I think he’s only talked about his experience a few times and only with others who have had been there,” Skarl said. “I think it helps to open up to other people. Just because we weren’t there doesn’t mean we don’t care or can’t support them. I have a lot of respect for every single one of them.”

Between 1999 and 2010, roughly 22 veterans died by suicide every day. Creating awareness and a network of support — something the Veterans Run aims to do — will hopefully help lower those numbers significantly.

“When they come back, they’re not the same,” Skarl said. “It doesn’t magically disappear. When they get treated like crap when they get home and maybe aren’t thinking right yet because they’re still in a state of war, they might think they have no other way out. We’re trying to help with that.”

Like many veterans, Hagar, a mutual friend of Skarl and Thomasson, died of Agent Orange, herbicidal warfare that the U.S. used during the Vietnam War. Approximately 1 million of the 4 million people exposed to the defoliant are now suffering serious health issues.

“Hagar passed away from Agent Orange three years ago,” Thomasson said. “He said he had tomatoes thrown at him when he returned from Vietnam. We have to make sure that never happens again.”

Skarl noted that servicemen and servicewomen are still fighting overseas today.

“I have family getting ready to deploy in July,” he said. “I know there are people who are protesting war and our country, but we need to be supporting everybody who is fighting for our freedom. They know they won’t be the same when they return, but they still go and fight for our country, so they deserve our respect.”

T-shirts are on sale for the 2017 event. A few raffle tickets are also still available. Only 250 raffle tickets are being sold, at $100 apiece.

“A brand new Harley-Davidson is the first-place prize,” Thomasson said. “A custom-painted orange and black AR-15 rifle is the second-place prize. Third place is a Springfield A-1 1911 pistol. It’s an original military gun.”

There are a lot of other prizes that will be given away to raffle winners, including cash prizes. In addition, 280 donations will be sold to the highest bidders in a silent auction.

“I would say about three-fourths of Balaton is involved in this,” Thomasson said. “Just about every business in Balaton has donated. We also have donations from Marshall and all over the place.”

Some of the silent auction items include: various knives, Harley-Davidson sign, autographed photo of Minnesota Viking Stephen Dogs, gift certificates, lawn chairs, guns, leather vest, car washes, patriotic signs and much more. Between 10 and 20 items will also be given away to veterans during the event.

“Pepsi from Pipestone is donating a truckload of pop and water,” Thomasson said. “And 1,600 pounds of ice is being donated from Arctic Glacier of Marshall. Kirpatrick’s of Balaton will be serving alcohol at the (former) football field. We’ll have a tent set up for them.”

Skarl said he and Thomasson kind of spearheaded the first-ever Balaton Veterans Run, but that it has since turned into “a community deal.”

“There are a lot of volunteers from all over the place,” Skarl said. “People want to support us and help us with this event. The more they see what’s taking place, the more they want to be involved.”

Thomasson said the 2nd annual Veterans Run will take place rain or shine. Seven 20-foot by 20-foot tents will be set up and there will be 8-10 vendors in attendance.

“There will be vendors that sell leathers, mini doughnuts and all the dessert stuff,” he said. “We’ll still have a bunch of bars available, too.”

The public is welcome for the steak supper for a small fee. The band Roxbury Drive will also be performing between 8 p.m. to midnight. The cost is $20 for adults to get in, and $10 for ages 10 and under, Thomasson said.

“This is a time where there’ll be a lot of veterans there — a time they can talk with each other and share stories,” Skarl said. “We think this is a good cause.”

Along with spreading awareness, the money raised will help veterans in the future. Last year, the retirement center in Luverne was the recipient of the proceeds.

“Hopefully, every year the run can get bigger and bigger and help more and more people,” Skarl said. “We’ll pick somewhere different to donate the proceeds every year, but it’ll always be something for the vets.”

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