September 20, 2024
The Hunter Alexander Frank Memorial Ride and Benefit continued in 2024. Each year it grows in the small towns surrounding Owatonna, Minnestota. These small towns all come together to honor the memory of Hunter at an all-day event at the Steele County Fairgrounds, including a car and bike show, food trucks, and silent auction. The event raised $10,000 for Wounded Warriors Family Support and has raised a substantial amount over the last four years for the military families that WWFS serves.
Hunter was born April 20, 2000 in Owatonna, Minnesota the son of Chad and Annette (Drown) Frank. He grew up in Meriden. Hunter graduated from Owatonna High School with the Class of 2018. On June 21, 2018, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He completed basic training in Great Lakes, IL with Division 18-321. Hunter reported to VP-26 on December 2nd, 2019 in Jacksonville, FL. Since March of 2020, Hunter has been serving in El Salvador flying with Team Trident as their Electronic Warfare Operator. He logged 412 hours in the P-8A Poseidon supporting counter narcotics operations in the Pacific. Hunter died at the age of 20 on Friday, October 17, 2020, in El Salvador while serving his country in the United States Navy. Decorations and honors received include the National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Medal and Marksman 9mm Pistol Ribbon.
In the past, Brandon Flores, Hunter’s brother, has led the ride. He stepped in as a road guard this year, filling in when the previous guards had to back out. In his stead, his father Chad Frank took the lead of the 90-mile memorial ride in his brother’s honor, with over 50 motorcycles and cars in tow. The procession rode from the beer garden on the fairgrounds to Woodville Cemetery in Waseca where Frank is buried, with stops many stops along the route with event sponsors for breaks along the journey. The memorial included riders from the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA), most of whom rode from the south Metro area to support Frank’s loved ones.
Frank’s family members have each found their own unique ways to remember him. Frank’s mother Annette Duncan, president of United Way of Steele County, partnered with Growing Hope Foundation to establish a scholarship in his name. Duncan works with Growing Hope Executive Director Julie Fiske to identify a local young person who’s had a positive impact on the world.
About Wounded Warriors Family Support
Wounded Warriors Family Support is an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide support to the families of those who have been wounded, injured, or killed during combat operations. This organization is run by combat veterans for combat veterans. Rated a four-star nonprofit by Charity Navigator, Wounded Warriors Family Support aids veterans and their families in healing the wounds that medicine cannot. For more information about Wounded Warriors Family Support, visit wwfs.org.
