Nation of Patriots motorcycle ride honors military, raises money

  • Published
  • By Ryan Stark
  • Nucleus writer
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The roar of freedom -- in the form of motorcycle engines -- will be hitting Albuquerque on Friday, when the annual Nation of Patriots cross-country motorcycle ride arrives.

The caravan is scheduled to arrive at Indian Motorcycle of Albuquerque, 4509 Alameda Blvd. NE, around 12:30 p.m.

The riders are escorting an American flag on a tour of the 48 contiguous states. Organizers expect as many as 150,000 riders to participate.

Marine Corps Veteran and Nation of Patriots Regional Commander Tina Reeves said the annual ride has gone on since 2010. It is part of the Nation of Patriots mission to provide financial support for families of wounded military members.

"It is important we do this because we cannot give recognition to our military and their families," she said. "Sometimes the families and their sacrifices get forgotten."

The ride began on May 23 at Woodstock, Ill., where more than 500 motorcyclists gathered to escort the flag. The journey will end in Milwaukee on Sept. 7, Labor Day.

The ceremony in Albuquerque will include Patriot Rider Terry Proctor presenting the flag to Reeves at 1:30 p.m.

There are also members who take on "Spirit Riders" and travel in honor of someone who has died or who cannot participate due to an injury.

Reeves said rode last year to honor of Sgt. Ronald Coffelt, an Army military police battalion member who was killed in Iraq by an improvised explosive device in 2007.

She got permission to ride in Coffelt's honor from his widow, Debi. After the ride, Reeves noticed something about the date on a certificate she was going to present to Debi.

"When I printed up my certificate, I realized he had been killed in action on July 19, 2007, and our ride was on July 19, 2014," she said.

Any local riders interested in participating in the Nation of Patriots ride can pre-register at nationofpatriots.org. All riders are asked to make a $5 donation.

Everyone is welcome to attend the ceremony at Indian Motorcycle.