Motorcyclists set to ride for Arkansas Fallen Heroes Memorial
Motorcyclists from around the state will be headed toward Toad Suck Park on Saturday as a part of the Arkansas Fallen Heroes Memorial Ride.
The ride is a fundraiser to build an Arkansas Fallen Heroes Memorial in Jacksonville at the Museum of Military History. The memorial will honor those killed during the war on terror beginning Sept. 11, 2001.
The ride will go through Mayflower before heading down Dave Ward Drive to Toad Suck Park. Event officials encourage people to wave flags and cheer for the riders.
Mark Taylor, Arkansas State Captain of the Patriot Guard Riders, said 170 Gold Star family members will be involved, representing 102 people who were lost. Gold Star families are those who have lost a loved on in the war on terror.
“We hope to see people lining the streets, showing their appreciation for their sacrifice,” Taylor said.
Taylor said the Arkansas Fallen Heroes Memorial is different that most memorials.
“It has their face and a story about where they are from,” Taylor said. “It is an emotional walk-through set up.”
The memorial was created by Rob Hopper who lost his son in January 2005.
“He started to pay tribute to his own son and expanded the memorial to include all families in Arkansas,” Taylor said. “It is a labor of love.”
Taylor said this memorial offers viewers an education on those who are fighting the war on terror and more than just a name on the wall. The names in the memorial are set up in the order of the date they died.
“You see the faces, and it tears at your heart,” he said.
Although the temporary memorial is made of wood, plastic and laminated photos, the permanent memorial will be made of bronze and granite.
The memorial was brought to Central Arkansas so more of the Gold Star families could be involved. During a ceremony at Toad Suck Park, Taylor said family members would wear a photo of their loved one around their neck.
“It is a sacrifice not forgotten,” Taylor said.
Taylor said the ceremony will begin around 2:30.
