A local organization is participating in Ride for Life Across America, an event set for Sept. 1-20 to recognize suicide prevention, substance abuse and mental health among military veterans and youths.

From Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to Long Beach, California, veteran groups and Christian riding clubs will join the motorcycle entourage with media stops planned along the 20-day ride to support the cause.

Lynchburg is among 26 cities across the country where the group will stop. They will be in Lynchburg Friday morning, and from there, the troupe will continue on to Memphis to complete a long, 350-mile day.

Film footage will be collected during the 5,000-mile ride to produce two, one-hour TV specials on Patriot Nation, a prime-time, magazine-style television series with syndicated broadcasts throughout America and beyond.

The series theme, “Honoring our American Heritage, Fighting for America’s Future,” will serve as a promotional vehicle to direct the depressed and distraught to counseling and treatment resources while raising awareness for the 988 national suicide helpline number, veteran-related services and substance-abuse ministry groups. 

Veteran Roger J. Piggott, an ordained street minister, and veteran Pete Tilly will be riding with the ashes of Tilly’s son, Farron Tilly, a veteran, and Piggott’s friend, Gina Spencer, both of whom fell victim to suicide in Canada.

Their ashes will be scattered on Route 66 at the Bikers Memorial at Sitgreaves Pass, a scenic overlook in the Black Mountains of Arizona where one can see three states: Arizona, California, and Nevada.