‘It’s a weekend of respect’: Local motorcycle clubs pay tribute to armed forces with several rides over Memorial Day weekend

WASILLA — The Mechanized Cavalry Club and several local motorcycle clubs banded together to hang wreaths along the Mat-Su Veterans Highway in the Valley over Memorial Day weekend.

“We really consider it an honor,” Mechanized Cavalry Club president Lou Schrader said. “All gave some but some gave all... It’s a way to show that we care for those who gave us our freedom at the ultimate price… It’s a weekend of respect.”

The mechanized Cavalry Club made their way from Anchorage to the Valley over the weekend to hang replacement wreaths and American flags attached to highway signs. Schrader said their club took over the annual tradition several years ago.

“That’s an honor we will accept. We’ve got a mission… We’ve got this,” Schrader said. “Our club is not a military club, but most of our members are military. Our club is not a Christian club, but most of our members are Christian… It’s a club of brotherhood.”

Schrader said they received an overwhelming amount of support from other motorcycle clubs this year in addition to help from other groups like the VFW who retires old flags for them.

Clubs such as Wind and Fire, Green Knights, and Pavement Pounders joined Schrader and his fellow Mechanized Cavalry riders this year as they drove through the Valley and helped them hang the wreaths at various locations.

“They’ve been a bug help,” Schrader said.

Schrader said they also joined up with the Alaska Vets Motorcycle Club for their annual Memorial Day ride to the Alaska Veterans Memorial at Byers Lake, serving as road guards and active participants in the ceremony to pay respects to their nation’s fallen heroes. He said the memorial site is a hallowed ground that gets him choked up every time.

“All of us have lost somebody,” Schrader said. “It’s really strong what that represents.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com