As motorcycles pass The First Lutheran Church in West Barnstable, they receive a blessing from the church’s pastor
Carl Jacobs/CWN
WEST BARNSTABLE – A motorcycle ride that honors members of the military from Cape Cod who have died serving our country since the September 11th terrorist attacks attracted more than one thousand of riders Sunday in a trek from Bourne to Yarmouth.
The Big Nick’s Ride for the Fallen is held in honor of Nicholas Xiarhos, a U.S. Marine who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2009, and the 13 other Cape Codders who have died serving our country since 9/11.
The ride was held 8 years to the day that the Xiarhos family learned Nick had died in battle.
Proceeds benefit the Nicholas G. Xiarhos Foundation, which supports local military families, veterans, and a scholarship at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School, Nick’s alma mater.
The ride began at the Barnstable County Correctional Facility in Bourne and ended at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School, where more than 1,000 riders were greeted by Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito.
The fourteen Cape Codders killed serving our country since 9/11 are:
United States Army Staff Sergeant Alicia A. Birchett of Mashpee
United States Army Private First Class Paul E. Conlon of Mashpee
United States Navy Captain Gerald F. DeConto of Sandwich
United States Army Sergeant Alexander H. Fuller of Barnstable
United States Army Sergeant Matthew R. Gallagher of Falmouth
United States Navy SEAL Kevin A. Houston of Barnstable
United States Marine Captain Eric A. Jones of Mashpee
United States Marine Private First Class Daniel A.C. McGuire of Mashpee
United States Army Sergeant Matthew A. Pucino of Bourne
United States Army Private First Class Clinton E. Springer II of Bourne
United States Army Sergeant Zachary D. Tellier of Falmouth
United States Army Sergeant Mark R. Vecchione of Eastham
Commander Francis T Williams of Sandwich
United States Marine Corporal Nicholas G. Xiarhos of Yarmouth.
