The Pro Motocross Championship series has designated this week as Military Appreciation, and the operators of the Washougal MX Park are going all out with military races, honor rides, tributes and more as the world’s greatest riders compete in Clark County.

Veterans to be honored at Saturday’s Washougal National, annually the biggest single-day sporting event in Clark County

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

They love their country.

They love their sport.

This week, America and Motocross will be celebrated together at the Washougal MX Park, and veterans are thrilled to be part of the festivities.

Austin Kiemele wears his Warrior Class bib on Thursday that veterans wore during a special moto just for them at the Washougal MX Park. Kiemele was unable to ride this week but was proud to be part of Military Appreciation for Pro Motocross Championships in preparation for Saturday’s Washougal MX National. Photo by Paul Valencia

“I grew up racing dirt bikes my whole life. I started racing when I was 4,” said Austin Kiemele, a former U.S. Marine who grew up in Vancouver.

Shannon LaDouce is a former U.S. Army nurse from Oregon who spent “many, many weekends” in Washougal, watching her father and her brother race in motocross.

Shannon LaDouce grew up coming to Washougal MX Park and loves the sport. A former U.S. Army nurse, she is now a nurse practitioner who specializes in mental health treatment for veterans. Photo by Paul Valencia

Now a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, LaDouce is part of a special event that coincides with the MotoSport.com Washougal National on Saturday.

“I never thought I’d be back here doing this today as a veteran,” LaDouce said. “It’s a very cool event, and I’m very proud to be part of it.”

Brett Stralo is a former U.S. Army soldier. He travels the country to promote dirt bikes as a way of mental health therapy for other combat veterans.

“This is something I’m insanely passionate about, especially since this sport saved my life,” Stralo said.

Brett Stralo, a combat veteran and a member of Veteran Motocross Foundation, is interviewed by Washougal MX Park track announcer Curtis Paulson on Thursday. Stralo is in town for Military Appreciation during the Washougal MX National. Photo by Paul Valencia

They, and so many others, are at Washougal MX Park this week to take part in the biggest single-day sporting event in Clark County, the Washougal MX National. And the Pro Motocross Championship has designated the Washougal race to be its Military Appreciation race.

The track held Warrior Class motos Thursday and Friday, races specifically for veterans.

Veteran and Third Congressional District candidate Joe Kent was scheduled to be at the track Friday afternoon for a meet-and-greet and an autograph session. Kent is also expected to be in attendance Saturday for the National, which will include a Warrior Memorial Bike Tribute in honor of Shannon Kent, Joe’s first wife who was killed in combat.

Stralo will be riding the bike that will be a tribute to Shannon’s memory.

The opening ceremony for Saturday’s National is at 11:30 a.m., with the first motos starting at noon, just after a scheduled flyover of F-15s. During intermission at Nationals, there will be a Veteran Lap, with veterans on bikes being saluted by a crowd that is expected to be more than 20,000 race fans.

Kiemele said motocross has always been a part of his life.

“One day you realize you’re not as fast as you wish you were,” he said of the time he figured out he would not be a professional rider.

After high school, he knew college was not for him.

“You know, let’s go serve my country. Let’s be a badass,” he said.

The Marines specialize in that philosophy, and Kiemele became an aircraft mechanic. He served five years with the Marines, including a deployment in Afghanistan.

Wherever he went, he always tried to find time on a dirt bike.

Kiemele was injured a few weeks ago while racing at Washougal and was unable to ride this week in the Warrior Class motos. But he said he still wanted to be at the park to celebrate with other veterans.

“It’s cool seeing everybody here. Everybody is so pro-America. It’s family here,” Kiemele said.

He also thanked Ryan and Shelly Huffman, track owners, and others associated with the Washougal MX Park, and Pro Motocross for selecting Washougal to be the host for Military Appreciation week.

“They’ve done phenomenal stuff for all of our veterans out here. I’ve seen so much hard work to make this a military appreciation race,” Kiemele said.

LaDouce set up a vendor booth with information to help veterans dealing with the invisible scars of war.

“I fell in love with mental health during my time in service,” LaDouce said. “I was out at Walter Reed (Medical Center). During that time, there was a recognition for the visible wounds of war, like the amputee, but not a lot for guys on the TBI (traumatic brain injury) ward and those with mental health (issues).”

After her service, she used her G.I. Bill benefits and earned a master’s degree. She works with UpWell Psychiatry.

“My passion is treating veterans,” she said. “I specialize in vets and first responders.”

Stralo is a member of Veteran Motocross Foundation. He is a coach and a professionally licensed motocross rider. His priority is not winning races, but in helping other combat vets defeat depression and other debilitating issues from the effects of war.

VetMX’s motto is: That Others May Ride.

Stralo said the therapy side of riding can bring back endorphins for veterans who have grown accustomed to adrenaline rushes. But it also brings veterans together, so they can ride together, and, if needed, share with one another their experiences. Stralo said the mission is to reduce the number of veterans who commit suicide.

This week, Stralo, VetMX, and so many others are in Washougal this weekend to celebrate Motocross and veterans.

“We’re honoring these people through the sport,” Stralo said. “Think of it like a giant hug. That is what they’ve done here for the veteran community.”

There were amateur racing Thursday and Friday at Washougal MX Park, and the pros take over for the Washougal National on Saturday. This is also Military Appreciation week for the sport. Photo by Paul Valencia

Note: The Washougal MX Park has several workers and volunteers who are veterans, as well. The park’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/WashougalMXPK, has posted several bios of veterans associated with the park over the last few weeks, in anticipation of Military Appreciation.