SUMMERSVILLE, W.Va. — The 2nd annual Ride for Fallen Heroes will likely rise in excess of $50,000 for the Gold Star Families in West Virginia following their Sunday afternoon ride through southern West Virginia.
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) joined the ride as well to highlight the difficult times Gold Star families often face in the aftermath of losing a loved one in combat.
“A lot of people don’t realize it, but you lose a loved one in any situation–but particularly military service–the families have to struggle on and sometimes they have some hard times,” he said.
The money raised in 2016 represents more than a 40 percent increase over the 2015 donation, and Senator Manchin said the hope will be that this event will grow each year.
“It’s the least that we can do being one of the most patriotic states in the nation,” he said. “It’s something we very, very, very, very much support. We raised $35,000 last year. We’re going to raise over $50,000 this year.”
Ike Morris, a Glenville native and one of the 250 riders, said a little early rain wasn’t going to keep them from enjoying the Sunday ride through West Virginia’s mountains.
“Went on over to Harley Davidson shop there,” Morris said. “Met Joe. Talked to Joe. Just a great even to be a part of.”
The Mountain State is routinely at or near the top of every list when determining how many veterans per capita from the state served in the U.S. Armed Forces, and both Manchin and Morris said it was an obligation to help the families who lost loved ones.
“These family members need their to be health care, sometimes education, sometimes just a little bit of support to keep them going through tough times,” he said.
“Going to help the right people,” Morris said. “It doesn’t hurt any one particular person. Everybody gives a little. It does right.”
Nearly 300 people on around 250 bikes participated in the ride. Members of the Huntington Police Department escorted the riders from Charleston to the Summersville Armory using Route 39 going north and then taking Route 60 on the way back.