YARMOUTH – The annual motorcycle ride which honors Cape Codders who have died serving our country since 9/11 raised more than $60,000 for local military families and veterans last month.
Big Nick’s Ride for the Fallen saw more than 1,000 motorcyclists ride from Bourne to Yarmouth on July 23 to raise money for the Nicholas G. Xiarhos Memorial Foundation Fund.
The memorial fund provides financial assistance to local military families, wounded warriors, Gold Star families and members of law enforcement. It also supports numerous programs for veterans throughout the community, including Cape Wags for Tags, a free pet adoption service, the saltwater fishing event Operational Reel Heroes and therapeutic horseback riding.
The fund also supports a scholarship at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School.
Now in its eighth year, the event was started to honor Nicholas Xiarhos, a Marine killed in Afghanistan in 2009. The other 13 Cape Codders who have died in service 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