LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - Motorcyclists are helping give local veterans the opportunity to visit the monuments built to honor them in the nation’s capital.
Dozens of motorcycles took to the streets for the annual Ride for Heroes. Following the ride, participants gathered for a chicken barbecue dinner and raffle to help raise money for transportation and other expenses.
The fundraiser is expected to help send around 30 local veterans to the airport to take part in an Honor Flight this spring.
Honor Flight is a free, all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for United States military veterans to visit war memorials and be thanked for their service.
Organizers say they appreciate the community’s continued support, which allows them to continue their efforts year after year.
“I feel I'm the most blessed man that that there ever was and I got a community that backs me to the fullest and I I can't ask for anything more and we're honoring those who gave us the right to do what we do on an everyday basis. I get to give them the welcome home that they should have got years ago and it's going to be a little different than the one they had before.” says Mike Melvin, Ride for Heroes.
The Chained Eagles of Ohio were also on hand to help honor Ohio POW and MIA soldiers who never made it home from their respective wars.
