Ride for Freedom to honor fallen Indiana service members

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — This Memorial Day there is a Ride for Freedom across central Indiana. Rolling Thunder Indiana Chapter 1 is hosting the annual ride from Indianapolis to Fort Wayne to honor fallen service members and remember the nation’s Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (MIA).

The motorcyclists departed from Indianapolis on Monday morning at 9.m. from Fort Harrison Veterans Center in Indianapolis, headed to the to Harley Davidson of Fort Wayne.

Organizers say the Allen County Sheriff’s Department will then escort riders to the Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum in Fort Wayne, where the program will start at 1 p.m. The ceremony will include the presentation of the nation’s colors by the Marine Color Guard, singing of the national anthem, and the pledge of allegiance.

Next will be a bench dedication in honor of U.S. POWs/MIAs from all wars. The United States has more than 81,000 servicemembers still unaccounted for. Indiana has 104 from World War I, 1,497 from World War II, 169 from the Korean War, and 50 from the Vietnam War.

Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker will assist in placing a wreath to honor those who sacrificed their lives in defense of the country. She will also participate in the unveiling of the bench dedicated to POWs/MIAs.

Organizers say the Ride for Freedom and Memorial Day Ceremony serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by military personnel and the ongoing commitment to bring home those still unaccounted for.

The event is open to the public and organizers are inviting community members to pay their respects and support the cause.

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