Hero Expeditions is proudly hosting our 14th Annual SSG Christopher Birdwell Memorial Honker Down Reception presented by Bank of Colorado. This year's event will take place on Friday, January 9th inside the Great Hall at the Island Grove Events Center in Greeley, Colorado

Join us as we honor our 16 participating veterans and first responders who have combined for over 225 years of service to our country and communities! We will also pay tribute to SSG Christopher Birdwell 🇺🇸, a Windsor native who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to his country on August 27, 2012 in Kalagush, Afghanistan.

Be sure to come early for the action-packed Social Hour 🎉 from 5:15-6:15 PM. There will be great music 🎶, contests 🎯, games ♠️ and plenty of time to socialize🤝.

Our banquet dinner 🍽️ will get started at 6:30 and is sure to feature great food 🍰 , special tributes🎖️, a live auction 🔨, guest speakers 🎤, countless prizes 🎁 and more! You don’t want to miss this event!

📋 DETAILS

📆 Date: Friday, January 9th, 2026

⏰ Times

🍻🎵 Social Hour: 5:15 - 6:15 PM

🍽️ Dinner: 6:30 PM

📍Location: Island Grove Event Center (we are in the Great Hall this year) - 421 N. 15th Avenue in Greeley, CO.

🤠 Dress: Western/Outdoor Casual encouraged–dress comfortably! 👕👖👚

🎟️ Tickets: $75. Every attendee must purchase a ticket or have a sponsorship allocated seat.

🎗️Sponsorship: Each sponsorship level receives a table for 8 people to attend the banquet. Please visit heroexpeditions.org/honker-down to explore and register your sponsorship today!

🖥️ For more information on this event, including sponsorship opportunities, please visit heroexpeditions.org/honker-down

🇺🇸 The Honker Down Reception is Hero Expeditions’ flagship fundraising event, generating nearly 40% of the support that fuels our annual programs. Your interest and encouragement help make these life-changing experiences possible—thank you!

📲 Please Contact Jeremy Heid for inquiries and questions: jeremy@heroexpeditions.org or 970-381-9876

14th Annual SSG Christopher Birdwell Memorial Honker Down Reception presented by Bank of Colorado

Together We Can Make a Difference for Our Nation’s Heroes

Team Members