Honor & Remember - Finish The Mission

Our mission includes HONORING those who have served and REMEMBERING those who have fallen

“The United States and the freedom for which it stands, the freedom for which they died, must endure and prosper. Their lives remind us that freedom is not bought cheaply. It has a cost; it imposes a burden. And just as they whom we commemorate were willing to sacrifice, so too must we—in a less final, less heroic way—be willing to give of ourselves.”

– President Ronald Reagan, May 1982

Our signature event, Freedom Cruise, includes a “Ceremony for the Fallen” where we REMEMBER a local fallen hero, and an “HONOR ride” saluting those who have served and sacrificed for our freedoms.

Honorees’ portraits are displayed at Brann’s Steakhouse & Grill on Leonard Street, a Grand Rapids restaurant known for the owners’ commitment to supporting local police, first responders, and military. FTM plans to install another portrait of each honoree in their specific community, in a location chosen by their family.

The Honor ride is a 30-mile procession made up of Gold Star Families, area law enforcement, and veteran organizations. The procession/escort will conclude at Sparta High School for the Honor Ceremony and portrait unveiling.

“The best we can do to honor the family is to assure them that we’ll never forget their honoree.”

– Tom Antor, FTM Founder and Board President

2025 Honoree

Army Ranger Sgt. Steven C. Ganczewski
Died November 16, 2007

Sgt. Steven C. Ganczewski, 22, was a fire team leader assigned to 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga. He was born on April 7, 1985.

He died Nov. 16, 2007, in northern Iraq of injuries sustained in a combat related incident.

After graduating from Niagara Falls High School in Niagara Falls, N.Y., Ganczewski enlisted in the Army from his hometown of Niagara Falls in July 2003 and completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning as an infantryman. After graduating from the Basic Airborne Course there, he was assigned to the Ranger Indoctrination Program also at Fort Benning.

He graduated from the Ranger Indoctrination Program in April 2004 and was then assigned to 3rd Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment in May 2004. He served there as a grenadier and fire team leader.

Ganczewski’s awards and decorations include four Army Achievement Medals, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Jumpmaster Badge, and the Ranger Tab.

He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal w/V and the Meritorious Service Medal.

He is survived by his wife Rachel and daughter Makayla, of Columbus, Ga., and his parents Mark and Maria Ganczewski of Niagara Falls, N.Y.

As a Ranger, Sgt. Ganczewski distinguished himself as a member of the Army’s premier lightinfantry unit, traveled to all corners of the world in support of the Global War on Terrorism, and fought valiantly to “uphold the prestige, honor, and high ‘esprit de corps’” of the Ranger Regiment.

— Army Ranger Lead the Way Fund

Previous Honorees

August 18, 2023

Army Pfc. Nicholas H. Blodgett
7/21/2004 — Age 21
Wyoming, MI

August 29, 2022

Sergeant First Class Richard J. Herrema
4/25/2006 — Age 27
Hudsonville, MI

June 18, 2021

Army Sergeant Chad J. Vollmer
12/23/2006 — Age 24
Grand Rapids, MI

May 18, 2021

Army Corporal Nicholas R. Roush
8/16/2009 — Age 22
Middleville, MI

April 18, 2021

Marine Gunnery Sergeant Daniel J. Price
7/29/2012 — Age 27
Holland, MI

March 18, 2021

Marine Corporal Ross A. Smith
2/9/2006 — Age 21
Wyoming, MI

February 18, 2021

Navy Petty Officer First Class (SEAL) David J. Warsen
8/16/2012 — Age 27
Kentwood, MI

January 18, 2021

Army Specialist Brandon L. Stout
1/22/2007 — Age 23
Kent City, MI

Honoree Portrait Artist

About the Artist

Jim Tostrud is a nationally recognized wildlife artist and professional outdoorsman for Kenosha, WI. Jim created Wildlife Visions Ventures LLC and has built a great brand and reputation in the outdoor industry for all the he does. Jim was also the host of Wildlife Visions Outdoors TV Show and has been producer of the program for over 20 years.

Jim’s love and passion for the outdoors shows through in everything he does, be it his wildlife art, guiding or his video production. He has built a very successful business as a hunting and fishing guide, and, with that he has countless opportunities to witness so much of God’s Great outdoors. Jim is an accomplished photographer and videographer and can take visions from his own personal experiences in the field and bring them back to life through his art.

Jim has been creating art in the outdoors industry for over 30 years. He has won numerous awards for his art and has done work for a number of organizations such as WTU, DU, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the NWTF. Jim has helped several companies build great brands, having created iconic brand logos and packaging designs for companies in the industry. He has also worked with a number of companies in the video field as well—creating cutting edge commercials and infomercials for companies to fire up sales to their target market.

He has also made a name for himself in the outdoors garment industry and has marketed his wearable art for years. Jim has been a trend setter with creating garments that any outdoorsman wants to wear. He is the real deal, a true outdoorsman creating items for the outdoorsman from his own outdoors experiences.

Jim thanks God for all that he does and for creating a way that he can make people smile for a living—either through his art or sharing an experience in the woods or on the water with others.

We cannot thank them enough

All gave some, and some gave all so that those of us left behind could live freely. FTM honors and remembers veterans and their sacrifices through various activities, ceremonies, and events. We thank and appreciate them for risking their lives, for the family sacrifices they make, for providing our security, and for their willingness to fight and die for us. We will never forget them.

Our mission includes HONORING those who have served and REMEMBERING those who have fallen