Most people are content to attend special ceremonies on Memorial Day or place a red, white and blue flowered wreath on the graves of veterans to signify their thanks to the men and women who have served their country.

But Pat Riepl wasn't satisfied with such a typical tribute to veterans and military personnel. So the Baldwin rocket enthusiast plans to shoot off an 8-foot 4-inch-tall, 22-pound, half-scale Patriot missile replica over Memorial Day weekend.

Riepl, who has been building model rockets for six or seven years, said his original plan was to build a rocket and have his father, World War II and Korean War veteran Virgil Skaaden, sign it before it went up, up and away.

But once he got started on the rocket, Riepl decided to let all people of military backgrounds sign it before he launches it 1,500 feet into the air. So after Skaaden signed his name, Riepl's rocket ventured out into the world.

The rocket, which is large and powerful enough that Riepl has to get a waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration to shoot it off, made its first public appearance at the Freedom Riders Motorcycle Club Bike Show in Bismarck the last weekend in March. About 150 people signed it, Riepl said.

Veterans and military members signed their own names, and some people signed the names of family and friends who have served, he said.

"They were signing, like, lost brothers' names who were killed in Vietnam," he said.

Along with the rocket, people can sign an accompanying book. Riepl said he has enjoyed learning the history behind each signature. One man had his photograph taken while signing the name of his brother, a veteran, to the rocket, and he plans to give the photo to his brother on his 60th birthday, Riepl said.

He said he talked to veterans groups before starting his project to make sure he had their approval.

"They all thought it was a good idea,"he said.

Riepl plans to shoot the white-tipped rocket into the air on May 26 at a picnic in Steele. The free picnic at the park behind the Kidder County Courthouse begins at noon.

Riepl actually will shoot the rocket off from about four blocks south of the park, because it needs to be shot off with plenty of open space around it.

Skip Thomas, a veterans officer in Kidder County, said Riepl's unusual plan will be a welcome part of the picnic. Thomas said he expects a crowd of 300 to 500 to attend the event, including military officials and local dignitaries.

Along with the free food and military displays, Riepl's rocket should be a crowd pleaser, Thomas said.

"The kids will love to see it," he said.

Riepl said the rocket should reach altitudes of 1,400 to 1,500 feet with a maximum speed of 208 mph. After a 10 second countdown to launch, the rocket will take about 10 seconds to reach its peak. Then, a parachute will glide it back down to earth.

In the event that something goes wrong with the rocket, Riepl built in several override mechanisms to make sure his creation makes it back down to earth.

"I'd kind of like to save the rocket,"he said.

After the rocket has been shot off, Riepl will bring it to the Veterans Cemetery in Mandan for the Memorial Day service on May 28.

Riepl thinks he has room for about 800 more signatures on the rocket, but he said he'll have to find a smaller marker to squeeze in names.

"I'm sure it will fill up in a hurry," he said.

And next year, he may have to get a larger canvas for all the people interested in signing. "I'm thinking next year I'm going to need a bigger rocket,"he said.

Riepl usually keeps the rocket at his Bismarck business, Pro-Tune Plus, 828 Airport Road, but also plans to display it at other area businesses that have sponsored his project. For more information about where the rocket will be and how to get involved in Riepl's project, call him at 224-1638 or 221-9198.

(Reach reporter Jenny Michael at 250-8225 or jenny.michael@;bismarcktribune.com.)