Dear Editor,
My wife and I had the honour and privilege to participate in the 3rd CAV Ride to Remember those fallen in Afghanistan.
We started the ride at the Trev Deeley Harley Davidson dealership in Vancouver and headed out on a motorcycle convoy to the Derek Doubleday Arboretum in Langley.
In the procession of motorcycle riders were regular military forces members, retired veterans, firefighters, police, family members, and civilians.
Along the route were fire trucks (some with ladders risen), police and emergency vehicles with their lights flashing, and others with signs and Canadian flags.
They were all at the overpasses showing respect for the Ride for the Fallen, and of course, a formal tribute.
When we got to the Derek Doubleday Arboretum, the motorcycles lined the walkway. There was a ceremony where silver cross families laid wreaths in memory of those who lost their lives in
Afghanistan. Michael Pratt spoke on behalf of the Youth for the Fallen (he and his sister Elizabeth had organized trees to be planted for the fallen and a monument constructed in the shape of a tree with all the names labeled on it).
It was a very emotional and heartwarming ceremony where all of us could enjoy the day and show our gratefulness for those who defend Canada’s freedoms that we enjoy today.
To quote the CAV, “Our soldiers are our greatest advocates of peace, because they pay the ultimate sacrifice.â€
Steve and Denise Ferguson, Fernridge