Ride to Remember honors lives lost on 9/11

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - The community in Springfield gathered Sunday for the Ride to Remember Parade in honor of the lives lost and heroes on 9/11.

This parade has been going on since 2001 and shows no plans of ceasing.

"I live by the philosophy of never to forget. September 11th was a tragedy that happened to this country," said parade Chairperson Diane Hughes. "I have always believed that we never need to forget what happened to our country and to come together as a community, really, to honor and remember."

Hughes said she feels the charge to teach the younger generation about 9/11 to learn firsthand that the tragedy affected many permanently.

Riders, first responders and service members rode past the capitol building blowing their horns and waving the American flag making a statement of gratitude for those who lost their lives in sacrifice.

"9/11 is big for firemen and really firefighters as a whole," said Firefighter Luke Fraker. "343 of us lost their lives on 911 to go do what we all signed up to do."

Fraker encourages people to take a page from firefighters and other first responders to be a help in the community.

"Everybody could step up and say, hey, you know, I'm going to go in and help somebody today. If you see somebody down on the street, go help them. Help your brothers and your sisters," Fraker said.

The Ride to Remember Parade was about more than looking back on the tragedy of 9/11 — it's about honoring the Springfield community and keeping the promise to never forget.