Motorcyclists honor fallen soldiers through fundraiser

LAYTON — An aisle of American flags, flanked by about 100 motorcycles gleaming in the July sun, welcomed veterans and military supporters at a fundraising festival in Layton.

Bikers with the group Patriot Guard Riders, which supports veterans, started in Riverdale on Saturday morning and hit Morgan, Snowbasin and then the Roy City Cemetery. The special tribute was for Dan Dolan, an Army soldier who died in Iraq in 2006 after his Stryker combat vehicle was hit by gunfire and explosives from enemy forces.

The Patriot Guard Riders finished their trek Saturday afternoon in the parking lot of Boston's restaurant in Layton, where the festival began with bands, food, raffles and an auction.

The highlight of Saturday's event was the unveiling of Dolan's car. He bought the black Subaru STI a few months before he left for Iraq and was proud of the vehicle.

Jake Taylor, 34, of Sharon, Idaho, near Bear Lake, painted a portrait of Dolan along with other military artwork on the car in honor of the soldier.

"I just poured my heart and soul out," said Taylor, a double purple heart veteran. He said it was an honor to do the art project even though he had never met Dolan. "I didn't know him, but I do now," Taylor said. "And I've gotten to know his family really well."

Dolan's car will be used for future veterans events, said Patriot Guard member Gary Yocum, 53, of South Ogden. "It's mainly to remember Dan and all the other fallen soldiers," Yocum said. "It's a tribute to him and others who have given their lives for their country."

Dan Dolan's father, Tim Dolan, 55, of Roy, said about $5,000 had been raised by Saturday evening. Bikers donated $25 for a single rider or $40 for a rider and passenger. Festivalgoers paid $10 for the event.

The funds are to go to Mike's Guardian Eagle Foundation for Operation Salute. The program hosts a Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner at the Veterans of Foreign Wars center and American Legion. The program has also adopted two cemeteries, where they place American flags each Memorial Day.

Mike Lehmiller, for whom the foundation is named, was killed in Afghanistan in 2005.

"He loved what he was doing. He just didn't make it home," said Mike Lehmiller's father, Bob Lehmiller, 49, of Clearfield. Mike Lehmiller also has a decorated car.

Yocum said Saturday's ride went incredibly well, with about 170 people participating, riding on about 100 bikes.