Motorcyclists stop in area with the Nation of Patriots Flag Tour

May 30--CONNEAUT -- Dozens of motorcyclists gathered in Conneaut Township Park Friday to honor veterans and show their patriotism as part of the 2015 Nation of Patriots Flag Tour.

Doug Roxberry, an Ashtabula firefighter, helped organize the tour and rode with 90 fellow members of the Erie HOG chapter 2293 from Ashtabula to Conneaut and then to Erie.

The motorcyclists fly the American flag during the relay ride, which is scheduled to travel through 48 states in 100 days.

Winston Bailey, a Navy veteran who rode with 25 fellow members of the Western Reserve Mentor HOG chapter 3818, was chosen to lead the ride from Mentor to Erie, where they will pass the flag at Harley Davidson of Erie.

"There is a ceremony at each site," Bailey said. "It's an honor to fly the flag."

Today, motorcyclists will take the flag to Jamestown, Pa.

During the stop in Conneaut, Lakeshore Primary School students in grades K-2 sang patriotic songs for the tour, including "I'm Proud to be an American" by Lee Greenwood.

When motorists and pedestrians see the large flag waving in the breeze with more than 100 motorcyclists riding behind it, they wave and cheer, Roxberry said.

"I never appreciated it until I had children serving in the military," he said.

The Erie leg of the event honored Sgt. Ken VanGiesen, a club member who was killed in action on July 18, 2011, Roxberry said.

Dozens of people stopped by the park to support the event.

"We get more and more riders every year," Roxberry said. "Everybody is welcome as long as they support the military."

Riders were asked to pay a $5 donation to participate and all the money will be used to help veterans, organizers said.

Last year, they raised $1,500, Roxberry said.

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