WARREN, Ohio – The Tour of Honor, a self-guided motorcycle tour that pays tribute to America’s military veterans and first responders, will include a stop in Warren this year.
The tour, which runs through Oct. 1, takes riders to memorials in all 50 states, including the First Flight lunar module site at 2553 Parkman Road NW, which honors local and national space pioneers.
Founded in 2010 by brothers Steve and Dave Brooks of Idaho, the Tour of Honor invites riders to visit four to seven memorials in each state. Proceeds benefit the Fisher House Foundation, Tunnel to Towers Foundation and Gold Star Family Memorial Foundation.
The Warren location is a tribute to astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon. The Armstrong family lived in Champion Township when Neil made his first airplane flight at Warren Airways Airport, which was at the the site of the memorial. Moved by Armstrong’s achievements, local citizens created a dedicated lunar module replica to honor his impact on the world and his connection to Warren.
The site also recognizes another local space trailblazer, Ronald Parise, an unsung hero of the U.S. space program. Parise, a Warren native and 1969 graduate of Western Reserve High School, was inspired by Armstrong’s achievement. He turned his childhood dream into reality, flying aboard NASA space shuttles Columbia (1990) and Endeavour (1995).
Parise contributed significantly to spaceflight communications. One of his experiments – focused on internet communications equipment – was aboard the Columbia when it was tragically lost during re-entry in 2003.
“We’re proud to welcome Tour of Honor riders to Trumbull County,” said Beth Kotwis Carmichael, executive director of Trumbull County Tourism. “The First Flight Lunar Module site is more than just a tribute to Neil Armstrong – it’s a celebration of the local spirit that helped launch dreams into space. Honoring both Armstrong and Dr. Ronald Parise at this site connects the heart of our community to the legacy of American innovation and service.”
The 2025 Tour of Honor includes sites in six other cities in Ohio: Cincinnati, Cleveland, Harrison, Rockford, South Lebanon and Westerville.
With more than 1,000 riders participating annually, the Tour of Honor encourages exploration of small-town America while honoring its greatest heroes. Riders submit photos at each location to earn certificates and prizes.
Last year, more than 39,000 photo submissions came from across the country. Additional themed rides include visits to 9/11 memorials, Doughboy statues, War Dog tributes and more.
To register, go to TourofHonor.com. For $125, riders receive a laminated flag, patches, stickers and access to the season-long scoring system ($25 from each registration is donated to the rider’s selected charity among the event’s three beneficiaries).
Pictured at top: The First Flight lunar module memorial in Warren.