PORT COQUITLAM—Members of CUPE’s civic local here will join a special tribute on June 12 to Canadian soldiers who have died in Afghanistan.
The Memorial Ride for the Fallen, supported by CUPE 498, is being organized by the Ubique Unit of the 3rd Canadian Army Veteran (CAV) Motorcycle Units. The CAV is a national organization of veterans and their supporters who ride side by side saluting the sacrifices of the past, present and future of the Canadian Armed Forces while helping others in their communities.
A west coast version of The Highway of Heroes, the Memorial Ride for the Fallen is supported by Veterans Affairs Canada, with the Wounded Warriors Foundation as the charity. Organizers are working with Silver Cross families whose sons were killed in action in Afghanistan in 2007.
Registration for the June 12 event runs from 7-9 a.m. at Trev Deeley Motorcycles at 1875 West Boundary Road in Vancouver. After departing from Trev Deeley’s at 9:30 a.m. sharp, the ride will proceed up Highway 1 through Hope and continue on Highway 7 west towards Agassiz before returning to highway 1. The ride will then head toward Chilliwack, ending up at the Sappers Cenotaph at Vedder Road & Keith Wilson, at the corner of the old CF Base Chilliwack, where a memorial service will be held.
“We are hoping to see people lining the overpasses on the Highway with Canadian flags as we ride by,” says CUPE 498 member Shawn Evans, a member of the 3rd CAV Ubique Unit.
“This is a chance for Lower Mainland residents to show their support for the troops and to pay respect to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.”
Although bikes will take the lead, adds Evans, “everyone is welcome, so you can bring your everyday vehicle. You don’t have to ride or have a hot rod to participate—just come out and support our troops and their families.”
The cost is $20 per vehicle. Participants can pre-register online at Trev Deeleys’ events calendar.
For more information, visit www.thecav.ca.
Download the event poster here.