A memorial motorcycle ride for Canada’s fallen soldiers in Afghanistan will end Saturday with a service and wreath-laying at the Walk to Remember plantation.
The plantation is located at Derek Doubleday Arboretum. The memorial contains the names of each of the 158 Canadian troops killed in Afghanistan, and a tree has been planted in memory of each of them.
The ride is being organized by the 3rd Canadian Army Veterans (CAV) ROME unit, which was responsible for having a portion of Highway 1 in Langley designated the Highway of Heroes.
The CAV is a group that is made up of veterans and their supporters, who ride side by side, saluting the sacrifices of the past, present and future by members of the Canadian Armed Forces, while helping others in the community.
CAV unit president Barry Drews said this is the fifth memorial “Ride for the Fallen.”
There will be eight Silver Cross families in attendance from B.C., and Langley Township Mayor Jack Froese will also attend.
The ride is free, and motorcyclists will gather at Trev Deeley Motorcycles, 1875 Biundary Road in Vancouver, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, with the ride beginning at 11.
They will arrive about 12 p.m. at the Walk to Remember, and then proceed to the site, located in the midst of the arboretum, which is located off Fraser Highway, just east of the Langley City boundary.
The memorial service will take place at 12:30 p.m.
There will be a piper present, and the 3rd CAV will be laying a wreath for the fallen, as will other invited guests.
“Veterans Affairs Canada Remembers is behind us, as well as numerous factions of the military and many local businesses from the Lower Mainland,” said Drews.
“Once again the same as last year, we are looking forward to seeing people lining the overpasses on Highway 1 with Canadian flags as we ride by, honouring those that gave their lives for our freedoms.”
The ride is open to every one, with bikes in the lead, cars to follow.
More details about the event can be obtained from Drews at bdrews@shaw.ca or at thecav.ca.