A multistate motorcycle ride honoring fallen soldiers made a stop in Maricopa today.

Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Northwest, a national nonprofit based in Oregon, honors America’s fallen service members with its annual Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Memorial Torch Motorcycle Ride.

The ride commenced this year in Oregon and included a stop at the Maricopa Museum and Visitor Center at Heritage Park.

“This is part of our 22-day Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Memorial torch motorcycle ride,” Executive Director Warren Williamson said, reflecting on the mission of the ride. “We do this every year to honor America’s fallen service members.”

Staff Sgt. Richard Berry, who lost his life in action in 2012, was remembered and honored during the ride by his wife Patricia.

Williamson shared, “We spend an hour with each family. We wrap our arms around them. We tell them that we love them and that we will never forget their fallen hero.”

Regarding the growth of the event, Williamson explained, “This is our 14th year. We started in Oregon in 2009, and it now has blossomed into this large national ride. We take different routes every single year to honor as many families as we can.”

The Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Motorcycle Ride has become a national endeavor, spanning six different states and including 48 visits to families who have lost loved ones in service.

“We are all privileged to be able to do this mission,” Williamson said. “To come to the Berry family and say, ‘Hey, we love you, and we’re not going to forget Rick.'”

A photo gallery by Bryan Mordt:

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR