Cyclists Remember Fribley, Patterson During Young Tigers Benefit Ride
Cyclists Remember Fribley, Patterson During Young Tigers Benefit Ride
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Cyclists Remember Fribley, Patterson During Young Tigers Benefit RideMotorcyclists remembered fallen soldiers Lance Cpl. David Fribley and Sgt. Nicholas Patterson Saturday by participating in a benefit ride.
Approximately 50 motorcyclists took part in the third annual Warsaw Young Tigers Mayor's Ride.
Fribley, who was born and raised in Atwood, died March 23, 2003, after being killed in action near Nasiriyah, Iraq. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment.Patterson joined the Army on May 18, 2004. After basic training, he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division from Fort Bragg, N.C., where he served with the 505th Parachute Infantry Battalion and the 1st Squadron, 73rd Calvary Regimen, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. Patterson was killed Sept. 10, 2007, in a non-combat-related vehicle rollover accident in Baghdad, Iraq.
Fribley's parents, Gary and Linda Fribley, and his sister, Ann Fribley, and her children Austin, Katilyn, and Keegan Bays, attended the ride.
"David would be thrilled to have known people haven't forgotten him," Linda said.
Ann said he loved motorcycles, and he would have loved to be there Saturday.
Patterson's wife, Jayme Patterson, also attended the ride with her husband's stepfather, Scott, and mother, Jane, and mother-in-law, Jan Saner.
"It's humbling that people who did not know my husband came out to show their honor and respect," Jayme said.
The motorcyclists went to the Korean War Memorial in Arcola. Bricks were purchased by Young Tigers Football and will be placed with Patterson's and Fribley's names at the Purple Heart section of the memorial.
The memorial is provided in remembrance of all combat-wounded veterans who have made the supreme sacrifice for their country.
It was erected by members and friends of the military order of the Purple Heart in 2001.
