STURGIS, SD – Tuesday at the 86th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was Military & First Responder Appreciation Day. Sturgis Mayor Rod Bradley, South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden and a group of dignitaries honored two local Veterans for their service, highlighting the important work veterans, military and first responders do in communities across the nation.

Military & First Responder Appreciation Day started early for Sturgis Mayor Rod Bradley, as he arrived at Harley Davidson Rally Point around 6:30am to make sure everything was set up and ready. A free breakfast was offered to military members, veterans and first responders from 9am to noon, and event sponsor Harley Davidson handed out free tee shirts and challenge coins to veterans throughout the day. Rally goers were looking forward to a B-1 flyover at 2pm that was unfortunately cancelled due to mechanical issues with the aircraft.

The afternoon recognition ceremony kicked off with the Sturgis American Legion Riders who presented the colors, followed by the national anthem from Jesse James Dupree. Local military leaders, event sponsors and city officials delivered remarks that honored all veterans and first responders before Mayor Bradley recognized Sturgis veterans Craig Sanderson and the late Charlie Gray. Gray’s widow, Cindy, accepted the honor on behalf of her husband, who passed away last March.

“I think it’s something that we never, ever, ever imagined,” Gray said. “I think that Charlie did deserve it. He always supported the Sturgis community, supported the Guards, the wrestlers, the church. It’s just a great honor.”

Charlie Gray and Craig Sanderson dedicated a significant portion of their lives to the service of their community of Sturgis and to their country, and as Bradley said, deserved to be recognized and celebrated during the 86th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.