By By JOHN EBY / Niles Daily Star
DOWAGIAC - An estimated 600 motorcyclists poured into Dowagiac Sunday afternoon for lunch at Cass County VFW Post 1855 during Berrien County Riders' annual "Ride to Remember Our Fallen Heroes" benefiting the American Red Cross.
Participants paid $15 for the fifth annual ride from Benton Harbor to Cass County and back to never forget those who lost their lives in terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington on Sept. 11, 2001.
Proceeds are dedicated to disaster relief. Last year's Ride to Remember raised about $7,500 and helped more than 100 families.
Berrien County Red Cross most frequently assists fire victims.
The ride begins with a ceremony on Main Street involving fire departments from St. Joseph, Benton Harbor and Benton Township crossing their ladder trucks into a big X from which a huge American flag is draped and all the bikes pass beneath the star-spangled banner.
Benton Harbor's band plays the national anthem and Benton Township firefighter Malcolm Cowan plays "Amazing Grace" on bagpipes.
In a firefighting tradition, walking away in the final stanza signifies a lost firefighter.
After eating the sandwiches the VFW provided, the procession returned to the Twin Cities for dinner at Moose Lodge 1570.
Dowagiac's VFW has a huge flag of its own, hoisted aloft by a crane.
Traffic halted beside the post home on E. Division Street (M-62) so the color guard could file forward and "bring home the troops."
City police and county deputy sheriffs block intersections so that the procession rolls along with the right-of-way.
Riders marvel at the number of people wearing red, white and blue waving flags who line the roadside along their route.