YARMOUTH COUNTY - That rumble you will be hearing on Saturday, Sept. 1 is not a summer storm but the sound of up to 100 motorcycles on a tribute ride in honour of our fallen vets
For the sixth year in a row, the Wharf Rat Rally organization, in conjunction with the Canadian Army Veterans Motorcycle Unit (C.A.V.) and other veteran riding groups and their supporters, will depart Digby on Sept. 1 at 11 a.m. to the Afghanistan Memorial Wall at Maple Grove Education Centre in Hebron, Yarmouth County. The group will arrive at Maple Grove at approximately noon.
Riders will be donating to Maple Grove Education Centre for the maintenance of the memorial and to Veterans’ Place which is fundraising for a new van.
The Afghanistan Memorial contains the pledge and prayer of the now disbanded Memorial Club which is responsible for the design and construction of the “Wall”. It also contains the names of the 158 military and civilian men and women who sacrificed their lives during the Afghanistan conflict.
The Canadian Army Veterans Motorcycle Unit (C.A.V.) and the Wharf Rat Rally Organization invite all motorcyclists, military and otherwise, to join them in an escorted fund raising run from Digby to Yarmouth via the French Shore to enjoy the area, celebrate and support the efforts of these exceptional young people and to honour the memories of our fallen soldiers. This year’s ride also commemorates MCpl. Darren Williams who organized the first memorial ride and who was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident in Trenton, Ontario in 2015.
Wharf Rat Rally organizers invite the people along the route through Clare and the Municipality of Yarmouth to come out on their lawns to support these riders in their tribute to comrades. The public is also invited to Maple Grove Education Centre to witness the arrival of the ride. (best to be there before noon).
At the memorial there will be a short remembrance service honouring fallen veterans and their families. Following the remembrance service, some riders will visit our veterans at Veterans’ Place while the remainder are invited to enjoy lunch in the area before proceeding back to Digby.
