Fargo, ND – The familiar roar of motorcycles will soon blend with a wave of red, white, and blue across North Dakota as SCHEELS and the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA) launch a unique, three-day tribute to Flag Day. This powerful collaboration will see CVMA members ride to all five SCHEELS locations in the state, offering communities a chance to exchange their worn American flags for new ones, free of charge, and culminating in a solemn retirement ceremony.
The Flag Day events kick off on Thursday, June 12th. The CVMA will thunder into Fargo and Moorhead SCHEELS locations simultaneously from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., ready to meet community members and swap their tattered banners of patriotism for crisp, new Stars and Stripes. The journey continues that afternoon, with the riders arriving at the Grand Forks SCHEELS from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The call of the open road and the spirit of camaraderie extend beyond the CVMA. All motorcyclists from across the region are warmly invited to join any leg of the ride, transforming the event into a rolling display of unity and respect.
“This isn’t just about replacing a piece of cloth,” said a representative from SCHEELS. “It’s about honoring what the flag represents – the sacrifices made, the freedoms we cherish. Partnering with the CVMA, who understand this deeply, makes this event incredibly special.”
The ride resumes on Friday, June 13th, with the distinctive rumble of motorcycles pulling into the Minot SCHEELS from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The final stop for flag exchanges will be the Bismarck SCHEELS, where the CVMA will be present from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
This statewide initiative leads up to Flag Day itself, observed annually on June 14th, which commemorates the adoption of the American flag in 1777. The journey will culminate in a poignant flag retirement ceremony on Saturday, June 14th, at 2:00 p.m. at the SCHEELS Home & Hardware in Fargo. The CVMA, alongside the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard, will conduct the ceremony, ensuring that all collected flags are retired with the dignity and honor they deserve. The public is strongly encouraged to attend this moving tribute.
A spokesperson for the CVMA commented, “As veterans, the American flag holds profound meaning. To ride across our state, connecting with communities and ensuring our national symbol is honored, is a privilege. We invite everyone to come out, exchange their flags, and join us in Fargo for the retirement ceremony.”
This Flag Day, the highways of North Dakota will not only carry motorcycles but also a powerful message of remembrance, respect, and enduring patriotism, thanks to the collaborative efforts of SCHEELS and the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association.
Full Schedule:
Flag Exchange Events:
- Thursday, June 12th:
- 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Fargo SCHEELS
- 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Moorhead SCHEELS
- 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Grand Forks SCHEELS
- Friday, June 13th:
- 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: Minot SCHEELS
- 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Bismarck SCHEELS
Motorcycle Route Overview:
- Thursday, June 12th:
- 10:00 a.m.: Kickoff at Fargo SCHEELS
- 12:15 p.m.: Depart Fargo via I-29 to Grand Forks
- 4:15 p.m.: Depart Grand Forks via Hwy 2 to Minot (overnight stay)
- Friday, June 13th:
- 9:30 a.m.: Gather at Minot SCHEELS
- 11:45 a.m.: Depart Minot via Hwy 83 to Bismarck
- 5:15 p.m.: Depart Bismarck via I-94 to Fargo
Flag Retirement Ceremony:
- Saturday, June 14th:
- 2:00 p.m.: SCHEELS Home & Hardware, Fargo, ND (Conducted by CVMA and Fargo Memorial Honor Guard)
