JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Midnight Riders Motorcycle Club of Jud hosted the annual Ride to Silence the Stigma July 17.
The ride started when the family of the late Thomas Doyle, a veteran who had taken his life, helped form a committee to hold a motorcycle run in 2013.
Club member Monte Rodacker says the money they raise from the ride will be donated to First Link, the operators of the 1-800-273-8255(TALK) line and advertisements on i3G Media radio stations that share the number at all hours of the day.
Crosses with shoes were set up and represented the different “walks of life” of those who commit suicide every day.
Rodacker thanked those who joined the annual ride.
“We’d like to thank Stutsman Harley Davidson for allowing us to use their location as our starting point,” Rodacker stated. “We’d also like to thank Dani’s Place in Gackle for hosting us at the end of the ride.”
While the ride has been held to silence the stigma surrounding suicide, Rodacker says he’s noticed more are open to discussing it and finding help if they need it.
Jamestown Fire Chief Jim Reuther escorted the ride through town before they departed down Highway 10. The ride traversed through Marion, Edgeley, and other communities before wrapping up in Gackle.
Below are some photos and video from the ride.
