WHITMAN, Mass. — With heavy hearts, thousands of motorcycle riders from around New England gathered at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 697 in Whitman to honor the seven lives lost in a crash in Randolph, New Hampshire, last week.
Complete strangers who didn't even know the victims came to pay their respects.
"What more tribute could you have for these poor people and their families?" said Linda Hurd, of Halifax.
The victims were members and supporters of the Marine JarHeads, a regional motorcycle club that is made up of Marine veterans and their spouses.
"I'm sorry. Those are my brothers. Whether you're in the Marine Corps, Air Force, you're in the Coast Guard, we're all brothers. We all stick together," said organizer Bob Ricceeoli.
Ricceeoli was friends with Marine veteran Edward Corr, one of the victims. He was a longtime member and remembered as a quiet man who always helped raise money for motorcycle runs.
"He would give you the shirt off of his back," said Ricceeoli.
Knowing that a lawyer for 23-year-old Volodymyr Zhukovskyy pleaded not guilty on his behalf has many outraged.
"It's such a senseless tragedy, to have this kind of turnout, it speaks volumes," said Hurd.
Seven candles were placed in front of a flagpole in honor of the innocent victims.
"I just don't know what more to say," said Ricceeoli.
Organizers say there were at least 3,000 people in attendance. All of the money raised will go to the victims’ families.