With the birth of the 13 Colonies Special event here in the US as a four-day event in 2009, Ken Villone, KU2US, began a ham radio revolution. Inspired by the fun of the ARRL Sweepstakes, the military veteran had hoped to organize a special on-the-air event that would spotlight American history and celebrate the nation's independence during the days surrounding the July 4th holiday. As Ken told the ARRL earlier this year, the 2008 Sweepstakes spurred him to try his luck [quote] “....for one year only, to see what happens and to have some fun." [end quote]

The man who made sure that the fun would continue each year afterward became a Silent Key on the 2nd of October following a lengthy illness. In the years before his death, the 13 Colonies event had become an internationally popular activity with bonus stations and chasers around the world.

Only weeks before this year's event, with his health worsening, Ken transferred the event's leadership to his friend Tony Jones N4ATJ, coordinator of North Carolina's K2J station. With the help of Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO, the 13 Colonies event went forward. Ken stayed active as the state manager for the K2A operators in New York. Tony told Newsline that the event's 2025 certificate was one that Ken himself designed -- and that only one change was made to it so it reflected that the event was honoring him, as its founder, this year.

One event operator wrote on Facebook: [quote] "Ken had no idea just what he had created. What started as a small event, over the next 17 years became one of the most participated and celebrated Ham Radio events, not only in the United States, but worldwide." [endquote]

Next year's event will mark the 250th anniversary of the nation's independence and Tony will be looking for ways to mark that milestone while continuing to honor Ken. He told Newsline: [quote] "I will miss Ken and his guidance." [endquote]