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Sep 5, 2008 11:03 pm US/Central
Biker Group Rides As 'Tribute To The Troops'
(WCCO)
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The bikers are part of a nonprofit group called Tribute to the Troops.
CBS
A Minnesota family grieving over a loved one lost in Iraq got a little break Friday afternoon, when 65 bikers rolled up their driveway.
"Isn't it just amazing?" exclaimed Bridget Sura. "I knew there'd be a lot but never really had an idea it'd be that many"
She was taken aback by the mothers of armed service members, war veterans and everyday bikers who came to comfort her and her family.
Their loved one, Bill Juneau, was a contractor from the Twin Cities who was training civilians to be police officers. He died in Baghdad in November last year when a bomb exploded near his humvee.
"After all this time, I still don't think it's sunk in yet," said Sura. "Most days are hard."
The bikers were certainly welcome at her family's home in Ham Lake. She found comfort from people she never met before.
"I think, in a lot of ways, these people are going to help my family grieve. Some of these riders have been through it, so they'll be able to help us move on a little bit," said Sura.
The bikers are part of a nonprofit group called Tribute to the Troops. They're on a mission to comfort families of loved ones killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Earlier in the day, this group visited a couple in Mankato whose son was killed in Iraq. Two other groups of bikers with the organization are visiting families in northern and southern Minnesota this weekend.
"What about the idea of a motorcycle ride, just to let these families know their loss has not gone unnoticed. That we care about them," said Gregg Schmitt.
He and Rockie Lynne founded the group.
"This is the one thing where you can actually make a difference. You can reach out and touch that aching heart," said Schmitt. "These people are thankful someone remembers."
The two-hour visit went by quickly. Unfortunately, there were more visits for the riders to make. Their message is still to be delivered to other grieving families like the Juneau's across the state.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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