LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Hardcore Patriots Motorcycle Association and Bluegrass Harley-Davidson honored the late Sgt. Christopher Hilgert Saturday, Aug. 3 with a memorial ride in Louisville. 

Dozens rode their motorcycles in memory of Hilgert, who died days after arriving for service in Somalia in 1993.

“They were out on a routine convoy to the U.S. embassy ... he was the second vehicle in the convoy, and his Humvee ran over a remote detonated mine," said Brandon Hilgert, Christopher's son. "There were no survivors from his Humvee; no others injured besides the four that were in his Humvee."

Brandon helped lead the memorial ride. He was 4 when his father passed, and his sister was 5.

“(He) never taught me how to drive a car ... he couldn't walk my sister down the aisle ... he'll never get to meet his grandkids," Hilgert said. "My sister has three; I have two little ones that'll be here (one) day."

The ride not only paid tribute to Hilgert, but it also benefited two nonprofits that help veterans: Dogs Helping Heroes and Warrior Rounds.

“We bring what we consider warriors, veterans, combat vets, Gold Star families, cancer survivors; we take them down to Nashville, and we put them in a recording studio with an accomplished singer-songwriter out of Nashville," said James Thompson, Warrior Rounds ambassador. "They tell their story, and together throughout the day, they write a song."

The motorcyclists rode to the Patriot’s Peace Memorial on River Road to remember Hilgert and those who lost their lives serving their country.

“I absolutely love it," Hilgert said. "Every year we come out here, it gets bigger and bigger, and that's one more person. Everybody likes to buy the shirts, so I’ll be out places, and I’ll see the shirt and I know his name is on it. So I absolutely love that and just helping any veteran ... I'm a veteran myself, so I know what the struggles can be." 

The Patriot’s Peace Memorial in Louisville was installed in 2002. More than 450 names have been added to the walls since its installation.