WARREN — The Tour of Honor has returned for its 15th season offering a unique, self-guided motorcycle tour that pays tribute to America’s military veterans and first responders.

Now through Oct. 31, riders will explore memorials across all 50 states — including a notable stop in Warren at the “First Flight” Lunar Module site that honors local and national space pioneers. Founded in 2010 by brothers Steve and Dave Brooks of Boise, Idaho, 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 mission is to honor American heroes — mostly military veterans but also first responders — by visiting sites paying tribute to them,” said Steve Brooks. “It’s a unique way to combine a love of riding with a love of country.”

The “First Flight” Lunar Module is a tribute to astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon. The Armstrong family lived in Champion when Neil Armstrong made his first airplane flight at Warren Airways Airport, located on the site of this memorial. Moved by Armstrong’s achievements, local residents created a dedicated lunar module replica to honor his impact on the world and his local connection to Trumbull County.

The site also recognizes another local space trailblazer, Dr. Ronald Parise, an often-unsung hero of the U.S. space program. Parise, a Warren native and 1969 graduate of Western Reserve High School — the same year Armstrong took his legendary moonwalk — was deeply 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 Lunar Module is the only Tour of Honor stop in the Mahoning Valley. Six other sites are on the tour in Ohio, including those in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Harrison, Rockford, South Lebanon and Westerville.

With more than 1,000 riders participating annually, the TOH encourages exploration of small-town America while honoring its greatest heroes. Riders submit photos at each location to earn certificates and prizes. Last year alone, 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.

Registration is open at www.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.