The Guns & Hoses Logo. (Courtesy Stevens Point Police Dept.)

By Patrick Lynn

It’ll be a softball game like none Stevens Point has seen before: rough and tumble Stevens Point police battling it out on the softball diamond against hardened Stevens Point firefighters.

But the game isn’t just for fun. Stevens Point Police Chief Kevin Ruder said the softball game, named “Guns & Hoses”, is just the cap on a day filled with events to honor the community’s veterans and raise awareness of issues facing those who have served. According to Veterans Services Officer Michael Clements, 37 veterans are on a waiting list to take a Never Forgotten Honor Flight- a one day trip to Washington, D.C. to visit war memorials of the respective wars during which they served.

The flights are provided to veterans free of charge, but the cost of $500 per veteran still must come from somewhere. Locally, that’s where Guns & Hoses comes into play.

“We’re doing especially well with the fundraising,” Ruder said, though he did not disclose the amount already raised for the cause. The cost to send all remaining 37 Portage County veterans on the Honor Flight is approximately $20,000. Ruder said several area businesses have donated food, merchandise, gift cards and other items for sale or raffle at the event. Sentry, Point Brewery, Kwik Trip, MADA,
Delta Dental, Point Precision and Skyward are just some of the area businesses who have contributed so far, and Ruder said several private donations have also come in- including an anonymous donation for $5,000.

He said details for the event are still being worked out, but he’s working to bring in military aircraft for a flyover during the National Anthem prior to the softball game, and there’s potential for some fire-
works after the announcement of the dollars raised for the flight. Honor Flight will have a mobile display on site and merchandise for purchase and the Marine Corps will have its mobile food concession stand. VA officials from King will also be on hand to assist local veterans with any needs or questions they may have.

Ruder also said military officials from the National Guard have been invited but have not yet confirmed.

“There’s going to be a lot of fanfare on this thing; we want the veterans of this community to know we support them with all available resources,” Ruder said.

Fanfare indeed. Ruder said officials with Honor Flight have invited Rolling Thunder, a veteran’s biker group, to attend the event. Muzzy Broadcasting has also offered to air the softball game live on the radio, though Ruder didn’t yet know which station. Ruder has also confirmed the police department’s new armored vehicle, as well as military items, will be on display for the public.

The event is slated for Sept. 13 and begins at 11 AM in Bukolt Park, with the game scheduled to begin at 1 PM. Ruder said the team rosters have not yet been finalized but will be posted prior to the event.

“One of the things that’s making us nervous right now is we might have so many people there, that we’re not going to have enough room,” Ruder said. “So we’re trying to figure out ways to increase the capacity of that field. Everybody we talked to says they’re coming and they’re bringing their families.”