EVANSTON — Coming from many states, veterans on motorcycles honored their lost comrades when they rode into Evanston on Thursday, May 17. Participants start in Sacramento, California, and ride to Washington, D.C., where they attend a Memorial Day ceremony.

The parade of some 75 riders came down Harrison Drive to 9th and Front streets, which quickly filled with bikes. The riders were escorted by law enforcement and local riders, who rode from Echo to Evanston.

Leaving their bikes in neat rows behind a barricade, the bikers dismounted and walked to the war memorial at the Uinta County Complex. There, they made two lines on either side of the walkway and four veterans stood on the corner with a wreath. When all vets were gathered and at attention, “Taps” began to play and the four walked slowly up to the statue of the soldier and placed the wreath there.

Following moments of silence, 9-year-old Jane Anderson of Evanston sang an inspiring rendition of the National Anthem. The veterans later made their way to Evanston’s VFW Post 4280, where local members prepared and served a hot meal for the NVAR participants.