Warriors remember ?The Bird,? receive $20,000
by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor
The Wertz Warriors, now in their 29th year of existence, have completed the long 900-mile endurance ride for Michigan Special Olympics? athletes, and it was probably one of the most emotional weeks ever without Mark ?The Bird? Fidrych. It was the first time in 18 years the Warriors have made the trip without their longtime friend and supporter, who died in a home accident last April.
At every stop, the Warriors played a five minute DVD of Fidrych?s years with the group, including his first, where fellow riders initiated him by shrink-wrapping his snowmobile. The DVD showed Fidrych sharing a ride with a Special Olympics athlete and the traditional opening of the winter games in Traverse City. This year, those duties were handled by his wife Ann and daughter Jessica.
?We can?t fathom not having Mark anymore,? said Warrior Bob Meyers. ?He?s on our mind all the time. All along the way, there are so many people that became familiar with Mark. They loved his antics and his smiles, and all the words of wisdom.?
THIS YEAR?S ride and winter games were dedicated to their honorary chairman. Day number six of the trek found the riders in Presque Isle County, where they received about $20,000 in checks from Stoney Creek Restaurant and Lounge (SCRL) and the Fraternal Order of Eagles (FOE) in Millersburg.
?This has been our best year ever, so we need to thank each and every one of you again,? said Mandy Crawford, daughter of SCRL owners Rod and Judy Crawford. ?We were a little bit concerned because of the economic times that we would be a little bit lower. This year, we were quite a bit higher.? A $16,012 check was presented at the ceremony.
?You Warriors, thank you for what you do,? said Barb Watson, mother of the late Bruce Watson, a Special Olympics athlete, who passed away a few years ago. ?What you do is help these young men and women achieve in areas in their lives t
Watson also has worked with the athletes as a coach. ?A lot of people worked hard for this and we sure appreciate that,? said Rod Crawford. It is the fourth year the Warriors have stopped at SCRL.
At FOE in Millersburg, hot sticky buns were enjoyed, along with warm and cold drinks, and a $3,595 check was presented. ?We are a small club in a small community, but we can come together,? said Roy Riley, aerie 4482 president.
Meyers added, ?I can tell you this entire area up here has been so giving and so kind. We?ve met so many wonderful people up here.?
Framed certificates of appreciation with a picture of Ray Heisner and Fidrych were given at both locations. Heisner was another longtime friend of the Warriors from northern Michigan, who passed away in the last year. The riders also remembered video photographer Dave White, who worked on the DVD before passing away in December.