SHAFTER, CA -- Here in Kern County, hundreds of motorcycle riders hit the road to remember the lives lost on this date 12 years ago.
Some even traveling from out of state to be a part of this annual event.
Engines were revved up and riders were in good spirits, despite the solemn cloud that hangs over our nation on this date.
As time goes on, the effects of September 11 keep the wheels of these some 500 motorcycle riders turning.
From Bakersfield to Minter Field Airport in Shafter, these motorcycle enthusiasts rode in remembrance of September 11th.
They hit the road to honor family, friends, and the thousands of others who made the ultimate sacrifice in prosecuting America's War on Terror, and to pay tribute to those warriors who've come home.
"Morale here is we're going to support our troops no matter what and that's why we did this ride. We don't want another Vietnam era where our soldiers come back and get disrespected we make sure that doesn't happen," says ride organizer Bill Pitcher.
Seven years ago, Bill Pitcher helped kick off the annual "Never Forget 9/11 Support Our Troops Memorial Run."
And now, the motorcycle caravan has grown to over 500 riders.
Many are riding for their family members who are still serving in the military overseas.
Like Ben Patten, whose youngest son has served in the Navy for 10 years but was deployed overseas just three weeks ago.
"Emotionally, this is pretty charged for me. My little boy's over there. My little boy's 28 but my little boy's off doing the job so we can do this today. We can ride our motorcycles we can use bad words we we can do what we want because of the good job those men and women are doing," Patten said.
Some have traveled across state lines to be a part of the annual ride.
Doug Campbell and his brother not only donated a hot air balloon ride for the event, but donated their time and mileage, coming all the way from Las Vegas.
"We just read about the event in one of the motorcycle publications and Wednesday happened to be my brother's day off so we had nothing better to do so we loaded up the bikes and came down here to have some fun," Campbell said.
While many were outfitted in black, their focus was on the red white and blue.
Honoring those who lost their lives 12 years ago and those who still fight to protect our freedoms today.
All the proceeds raised at the event benefit the Minter Field Air Museum and local veteran programs.
Some even traveling from out of state to be a part of this annual event.
Engines were revved up and riders were in good spirits, despite the solemn cloud that hangs over our nation on this date.
As time goes on, the effects of September 11 keep the wheels of these some 500 motorcycle riders turning.
From Bakersfield to Minter Field Airport in Shafter, these motorcycle enthusiasts rode in remembrance of September 11th.
They hit the road to honor family, friends, and the thousands of others who made the ultimate sacrifice in prosecuting America's War on Terror, and to pay tribute to those warriors who've come home.
"Morale here is we're going to support our troops no matter what and that's why we did this ride. We don't want another Vietnam era where our soldiers come back and get disrespected we make sure that doesn't happen," says ride organizer Bill Pitcher.
Seven years ago, Bill Pitcher helped kick off the annual "Never Forget 9/11 Support Our Troops Memorial Run."
And now, the motorcycle caravan has grown to over 500 riders.
Many are riding for their family members who are still serving in the military overseas.
Like Ben Patten, whose youngest son has served in the Navy for 10 years but was deployed overseas just three weeks ago.
"Emotionally, this is pretty charged for me. My little boy's over there. My little boy's 28 but my little boy's off doing the job so we can do this today. We can ride our motorcycles we can use bad words we we can do what we want because of the good job those men and women are doing," Patten said.
Some have traveled across state lines to be a part of the annual ride.
Doug Campbell and his brother not only donated a hot air balloon ride for the event, but donated their time and mileage, coming all the way from Las Vegas.
"We just read about the event in one of the motorcycle publications and Wednesday happened to be my brother's day off so we had nothing better to do so we loaded up the bikes and came down here to have some fun," Campbell said.
While many were outfitted in black, their focus was on the red white and blue.
Honoring those who lost their lives 12 years ago and those who still fight to protect our freedoms today.
All the proceeds raised at the event benefit the Minter Field Air Museum and local veteran programs.