For a third year, bikers from around the area, state and even the nation participated in a ride Saturday that raised funds for wreaths to be placed at the National Cemetery later this year.
Kevin Wagner and a coworker started the wreath ride when they realized not enough finances for the wreaths were being raised from the community. While the first ride had just 13 riders, that number grew to more than 50 the following year and this year again grew to almost 170 riders participating.
“This is way bigger than we thought it would be,” Wagner said. “After our ride last year, we had so much momentum they were talking about it a month later.”
Because of that success, a committee for the ride was formed to plan the event. This year’s ride had participants not just from Kansas, but from Missouri, Oklahoma, Iowa and even Florida, with enough riders to form a line about three to four miles long.
Some clubs represented included Legacy Veterans, Itus Virtus and the patriot guard along with other veteran and biker clubs.
The number of partners involved also grew, this year providing breakfast, lunch, patches and other services, with all proceeds going directly to the wreaths.
The route made its way to Mound City and back, covering about 100 miles worth of road in total.
