A Gold Star father from St. Charles County is hitting the road on Saturday, September 7 to champion his cause. And he’s doing it in a grand fashion.
Mark Schmitz has put together a heartfelt 80-mile journey from Festus to St. Charles, paying tribute to his son, the late U.S. Marine LCL Jared Schmitz.
The Angels of Abbey Gate Ride pays tribute to Jared, a 20-year-old who was one of the 13 U.S. service members tragically killed in a bombing at the Hamid Karzai Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan on August 26, 2021.
The ride will kick off with a meet-up at 9 am at the Gold Star Harley-Davidson in Festus, located at 2435 US-67. At 10 am, the group will set off, led by a massive tractor trailer adorned with the names and images of the “Angels of Abbey Gate,” the 13 brave soldiers who lost their lives.
Schmitz and his friend, Greg Doolin, a retired U.S. Marine and Army veteran who serves as a Freedom 13 ambassador, have meticulously planned this event. They are anticipating a significant turnout, with hundreds of participants joining the ride.
The ride will continue to the St. Charles Harley-Davidson located at 3808 W. Clay Street in St. Charles, where participants can enjoy lunch and cocktails. The event will also feature a thrilling paintball tournament called “Joe’s v. Pros,” which brings together regular individuals and military veterans/first responders. This exciting activity aims to support The Freedom 13, an organization established by Schmitz to pay tribute to the 13 fallen members and provide assistance to veterans and their families.
