San Antonio motorcyclists ride to Uvalde memorial

SAN ANTONIO — On a brilliant cloudless day in Uvalde, you may hear what sounded just like the rumble of thunder. It was not incoming climate, however round 100 motorcyclists from San Antonio who got here to the memorial at Robb Elementary.

“It’s close to home. This is right at our backdoor,” stated Michael Campa, one of many motorcyclists. “You would figure it would never happen here.”

“That could have been our children, but it is one of our children because it’s one of our sons and daughters from the community,” stated Arturo Garcia, one of many motorcyclists.

Most visiting the memorial walked up however this group rode proper in. They introduced an orange flower association. It is one that’s troublesome to see amongst all the opposite flowers, stuffed animals, and crosses. One rider stated it’s meant to present assist for longer than simply immediately.

“If we get together in a sad time like this, we should be doing it all the time,” stated John Vasquez, one of many motorcyclists.

There have been prayers and tears throughout their flip on the memorial.

“They just touch everybody’s hearts,” stated Becky Velasquez, who delivered the flowers forward of the arrival of the bigger group on bikes. “It was the right thing to do, come and give our respects.”

Their vacation weekend plans modified rapidly after they knew they would want to make a cease on the memorial. For some riders who’re former Marines, this Memorial Day vacation is just not solely about fallen army members, however all of the fallen together with the 21 who died.

“As a country, we all remember all of the fallen whether they lose their life on the battlefield or whether they lose their lives in the streets of America. We honor all of them,” stated Garcia.

They need the group to know that regardless of how powerful shifting ahead shall be, they may by no means ride by this life by themselves.

“There are a lot of people who love them and they are not standing alone,” Garcia stated.