Memorial Day weekend brings veterans group to county for outdoor experience

There was a lot taking place in Cook County over Memorial Day weekend--the Cook County High School graduation, the Le Grand du Nord bike race, family get-togethers, and more. There was one event that brought veterans from around the region to the North Shore. 
 

Organized by the Tread Lightly Off-Road and Hometown Hero Outdoor groups, a "Memorial Weekend Veterans Celebration" was held to offer veterans--and some active duty servicemembers--the chance to experience being outdoors on the North Shore. 
 

Tread Lightly Off-Road is a four-wheel drive vehicle group, with many Jeeps and similar vehicles getting together for rides and events. 
 

Hometown Heroes is a nonprofit which states its mission is to provide law enforcement officers, military service members, and military veterans with outdoor opportunities "to assist in healing and building healthy relationships within the community." 
 

Veterans were asked to ride along with Tread Lightly Off-Road on backroads, stopping at scenic spots throughout the county. Local anglers volunteered to take veterans out on the water--on Lake Superior, on Saganaga Lake, and on local streams. 
 

WTIP's Rhonda Silence spoke with Scott Benolkan, one of the organizers about this event, about the weekend events.