Thousands ride to honour fallen soldiers
Last Updated: Saturday, June 12, 2010 | 3:39 PM PT
CBC News
Rider Sean Loucks wants to see a Highway of Heroes created in B.C. (CBC)Thousands of motorcyclists took to the Trans-Canada Highway on Saturday to show support for Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan.
The 3rd Canadian Army Veteran (CAV) Riding Unit organized the event, called the Memorial Ride for the Fallen in Afghanistan.
"This would be just to show support for the families of the fallen overseas," said participant Sean Loucks. "To show we haven't forgotten the sacrifices that they themselves have made, that their wives, sons [and] daughters have made for our country and for the freedoms that we have today."
He said the group also wants to see the creation of a Highway of Heroes dedicated to fallen B.C. soldiers similar to the one in Ontario.
Thousands of motorcyclists left Vancouver on Saturday morning for the memorial ride. (CBC)Loucks said dedicating a stretch of road in their honour is a way of recognizing what the soldiers have done for Canada.
"It would be nice to have [a highway] out here 'cause it's not just soldiers from Ontario, it's soldiers from across Canada … we lose soldiers from across this great nation of ours so to have one out here would be amazing."
The motorcyclists rode the Trans-Canada from Vancouver to Hope, then back to Agassiz, before stopping in Chilliwack for a memorial service at the cenotaph beside the former Canadian Forces base.
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