On Sunday, May 16, Falcon will rumble with the sound of hundreds of motorcycles as the third Defenders of Freedom Veterans Recognition Ride arrives at Frankie’s Too and Poblano’s Restaurant.The ride honors American military service members and those who have been wounded or killed while serving their country, said Brian Wess, event organizer.The registration donation of $10 per rider and $15 per couple will be given to the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit organization providing peer mentoring and counseling for severely wounded service members.The motorcyclists will start from the Lockheed Martin parking lot at 9970 Federal Dr. in Colorado Springs at 11 a.m., with a police escort from the Colorado Springs Police Department. Registration begins at 9 a.m.The El Paso County Sheriff’s Department will pick up the police escort when the riders reach Highway 94.Wess said the 40-mile-plus ride will be the longest law enforcement-escorted motorcycle ride in Colorado.In 2008, more than 215 people participated, donating $2,700 to the Wounded Warriors Project. In 2009, more than 430 people took part, donating $5,000 to the project.Wess said he expects about 2,500 people to participate in this year’s event.For more information and the riders travel route, go to www.brianwess.com/VeteransRide and www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
