Memorial ride for fallen soldiers rolls from here Saturday

Talk about it

The Memorial Motorcycle Run in Remembrance of All Fallen Soldiers will leave Jamestown this Saturday for the sixth year in a row.

The Christian Motorcycle Association started hosting the event in 2005.

Two 141st Engineer Combat Battalion soldiers came up with the idea to honor their fallen friends while in Iraq, said Paul Byron, president of the CMA Dakota Son Shine Riders, Jamestown chapter.

“We just want to honor them and their families,” Byron said.

The ride is the brainchild of Mark McMahon and Steve Geigle of the 141st Engineer Combat Battalion, who in 2005 came up with the idea on the hood of a Humvee.

“Me and another guy in Iraq were on patrol and we were talking about doing something for our fallen soldiers,” McMahon said.

The run was created to honor Spc. James Holmes, who died May 7, 2004; Spc. Philip Brown, killed in action May 8, 2004; Staff Sgt. Lance Koenig, who died Sept. 22, 2004, and Spc. Cody Wentz, on Nov. 4, 2004.

“I’ll never forget...,” McMahon said. “I guess as citizens we should all never forget the ultimate sacrifice they gave.”

Byron said he thought the North Dakota National Guard would eventually take over being host for the run, but CMA will continue to do it out of respect for military members because many CMA have served themselves.

The memorial ride has drawn riders from across North Dakota. The cities of Hettinger, Bowman, Williston, Devils Lake, Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Wahpeton and Dickinson have all been represented. Riders even come from Minnesota.

“It’s awesome to see that kind of support from not just the community but across the state,” McMahon said.

While CMA hosts the event, other motorcycle groups also participate. The Individuals, North Dakota Patriot Guard and the Freedom Riders all take part.

Anywhere from 120 to 250 bikes are expected, but the turnout usually depends on the weather, McMahon said.

This year registration starts at 8:30 a.m. with the ride leaving at 11 a.m. at Stutsman Harley-Davidson. Cost is $20 per bike or car and $10 for any passenger. Riders will receive a commemorative pin as well as a meal at the Vets Club following the ride. There will be door prizes during the meal.

“If 800 bikes showed up it’d be awesome,” McMahon said. “The same thing goes if 20 showed up.”

Sun reporter Ben Rodgers can be reached at 701-952-8455

or by e-mail at brodgers@jamestownsun.com

Tags: in the area, community, veterans, memorial, motorcycle, soldiers, fccnetwork