Gold Star Mothers, biker community honor fallen soldiers through bridge ride

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – The loss of a child is a pain no parent should bear, and the West Virginia Gold Star Mothers are working to make sure their children and their sacrifice are never forgotten.

The organization kicked off a weekend-long bike event at the West Virginia Capitol Friday morning with awards, a bike show, and music. Then, at 1 p.m., nearly 300 bikers took off for Summersville, all in support of our fallen heroes.

“What they asked us to do, the charge that we’ve been charged with, is to always remember them. Their biggest fear… I can’t even say it, they’re gonna forget them,” said Jeff Lanham, President of Backroads WV Veterans Assistance Project, while fighting back tears.

Lanham served in the Coastguard in the 1980s and now works alongside the WV Gold Star Mothers to honor his brothers and sisters who died in uniform.

“All of these service members of the 65. They have West Virginia roots. They were born here, they served here. Their family was here. We created the list. It’s arbitrary; it’s not a Department of Defense thing, we created it. The Gold Star Mothers and I created the list,” he says.

This weekend, the Gold Star Mothers and WV Veterans Assistance Project are collaborating to host a bridge ride. On Friday, bikers began heading toward Summersville with plans to cross the New River Gorge.

Those participating in the ride received a dog tag, and when they scan the tag, it pulls up a video of the 65 fallen soldiers. They also received a lanyard, so they can ride in honor of someone specific.

“We just do a lot for our kids in their name so that their names are said. We believe that you die twice – the physical death and when they quit saying your name,” said Terry Cunningham, President of WV Gold Star Mothers.

Money raised from this event will help to continue their support of veterans in the community and the organization’s work of ensuring that no one is forgotten.

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