When members of the Patriot Guard Riders heard that an 86-year-old veteran with Alzheimer’s disease missed his motorcycles and would love a visit, they did one better. The riders organized a ride with nearly 100 bikers and even got Air Force vet Ben Whicker on the back of a bike for a ride.
The Kaysville, Utah man has been declining as his illness progresses, but family members say the only thing he ever expresses a desire for these days is riding motorcycles. So the Whicker family reached out to the Patriot Guard and ride captain Raul Rahn made the motorcade happen in less than a week. They even lifted Whicker from his wheelchair onto the back of a three-wheeled Harley Davidson for the joy ride. His family says his eyes lit up and he was smiling from ear to ear! He told the bikers, “I don’t know why y’all are here, but I appreciate you being here.”