The thirteenth annual Cpl. Jarrid King Memorial Ride brought bikers out to Wesleyville on Saturday.

Every year, bikers rev up their engines for the fallen corporal from Harborcreek.


Keith Mayo, the Ride Coordinator explained, "This was his lifelong goal to help vets when he got back after his deployment, so to continue to honor his legacy, that's why we do this event for the Wounded Warriors Project."


King, an Erie-native died in 2011 in Afghanistan, but his memory has lived on through family, friends and this ride.


Don King, Jarrid's dad said, "He was the one that said to me that he really liked what the Wounded Warrior Project was about and that was a long time ago, that's the only reason we do this today, because of him."

Support for the Wounded Warriors Project and this ride has grown over the past decade. As Mayo explained, "In the past five to six years we have donated about $50,000 to the Wounded Warrior Project and every year it has gotten bigger. It started out with 30-40 people, last year we had about 250, this year we are hoping for about 300."


People traveled near and far for a chance to journey with fellow riders for a worthwhile cause. Many of these bikers didn't even know King, but they said it's important to show support for veterans and causes close to King's heart.


Vicki Collier and Doug Meyer traveled from Pittsburgh to participate in the ride for the second year in a row, "This is one of the biggest rides in the Erie County area and it's a humble experience to be out here with 200-300 bikes to support the veterans that have lost their lives in combat", said Collier.


The ride covered 160 miles spanning from Pennsylvania to Ohio. There was also auctions, food, raffles and drinks at the American Legion in Wesleyville before and after the ride.