Riding Together: Local Support Powers the Ride of Honor

This November, the rumble of motorcycles will fill the air as the Ride of Honor rolls into Rocky Mount—a heartfelt tribute to the men and women who’ve served our nation. But beyond the engines and leather jackets, the event's true story lies in the community that fuels it.

This year’s celebration spans two key stops: the Ride-In at NC Beer Factory and the Ride of Honor at Flying Iron Harley-Davidson of Rocky Mount. Together, they create not just a day of remembrance but a powerful expression of local pride.

A Ride with Purpose

Founded with the mission to honor veterans and connect the community through gratitude and awareness, the Ride of Honor offers opportunities to engage, reflect, and give back. Riders from across the region unite, united by respect for service and a shared desire to make a difference.

At the Ride-In at NC Beer Factory, participants gather ahead of the main event to enjoy local craft brews, live music, and fellowship. The atmosphere is casual and warm—a chance for veterans and riders to swap stories and share camaraderie before the engines roar to life.

Community at the Core

What makes the Ride of Honor stand apart is its foundation of local support. Businesses, civic groups, and volunteers step forward each year to help make it possible—not for recognition, but because honoring veterans is a cause that resonates deeply in Rocky Mount.

Sponsors play a vital role in that effort. This year, Freedom Industries ensured that all veterans ride for free, complete with a commemorative T-shirt and meal on the day of the ride. The event’s Veterans Sponsor, Stocks Engineering, provided key infrastructure and logistics to keep the ride running smoothly.

Support also poured in from the Stars & Stripes Sponsors—Law Tigers Motorcycle Lawyers, Davenport Autopark, Gills Processing, and the Bridgestone Wilson Plant—whose contributions reflect the shared values of service, safety, and community pride.

At the Heroes Sponsor level, organizations like UNC Health Nash, Hardee’s / Boddie-Noell Enterprises, Seegars Fencing Company, and Shearin Heating and Cooling LLC stepped up to honor local veterans through direct support and event participation. And finally, the Patriot Sponsor, Simmons and Harris Commercial Real Estate, joined the lineup—demonstrating how businesses across every sector are committed to giving back to those who’ve given so much.

It's partnerships like these that transform the Ride of Honor from a local event into a true community movement.

The Heart of the Event

While the engines and leather jackets may draw attention, the heart of the Ride of Honor lies in its inclusivity. Veterans from every branch and generation take part—from Vietnam to post-9/11—riding alongside community members who simply want to show respect. Along the route, residents wave flags, children hold homemade signs, and neighbors gather to salute the riders as they pass.

It's that connection—the quiet nod between a rider and a veteran standing at the roadside—that captures what this event is really about.

As the bikes roll back into town and engines idle, the true destination of the Ride of Honor isn’t a parking lot—it’s the countless personal connections and the sense of gratitude that lingers long after the last flag is folded.

In Rocky Mount and beyond, when businesses step up, schools lean in, and neighbors ride together, honoring veterans becomes more than a ceremony. It becomes a promise—that we remember, we support, and we ride forward, together.

Want to be part of the next Ride of Honor? Whether you’re a rider, a volunteer, or someone who wants to donate, there are plenty of ways to get involved and make a difference. Sign up today to ride, support, or volunteer at rideofhonor.org and help ensure our veterans are honored with the recognition they deserve.