EVANSTON — “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night” — the popular motto of the United States Postal Service — may as well be the motto for the fearless bikers who ride cross-country each year to honor veterans during the National Veterans Awareness Ride (NVAR). With snow and rain — and Wyoming’s wonted wind — in this week’s forecast, and an early evening arrival planned for Evanston, heat and gloom of night shouldn’t be a problem.

Neither should the wintry weather in spring. 

“Rain or shine,” organizer Lexi Lamb said, “they’ll be here.”

She said that while the forecast isn’t ideal, the dedicated riders will do whatever it takes to make it to Evanston between 5:15 and 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, when they’ll ride from Interstate 80’s Exit 3 (near Porter’s) and roll down Harrison Dr. The motorcade, escorted by Evanston police officers, will take a right on Front Street then park their bikes on 9th Street between Front and Main streets, which will be closed that evening.

Lamb said NVAR participants will then go to the Uinta County Complex to the memorial monuments, where there will be a wreath ceremony. The Evanston High School choirs will also perform.

“After that, we’ll go to the VFW and serve them dinner,” Lamb said.

Members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4280 and the Veterans Auxiliary Club will cook dinner for the riders, which will be served at the VFW after the ceremony at the county complex.

Participants in the NVAR begin in Sacramento, and time their ride to end up in Washington, D.C. in time for a Memorial Day ceremony. 

“They’re riding for a wonderful cause,” Lamb said. “Along their journey, from Sacramento to Washington, D.C. … all the stops along the way, they visit veterans’ homes, hospitals, schools, [members of the] military [and] cemeteries to bring hope and strength to veterans — they take that all across the nation. They join in Washington, D.C., at the Memorial Wall, with a million other bikers to continue bringing that awareness and thanks for the ultimate sacrifice.”

Lamb said this is her fourth year organizing the event. It began about 10 years ago when her mother-in-law Robyn Lamb and Peggy Parish made Evanston a stop on the riders’ route. 

“They’re the ones that started inviting these riders to stop in Evanston, and then after Robyn passed away in 2013, it just kind of got passed down to me.”

Lamb said she’s honored to be a part of the event.

“… When they stop here, I feel so very humbled to help these guys on their way, to show them as a community that we appreciate what they ride for, what they stand for and we support them on their journey.”