A Soldier and his family place flags at the Gates of Heaven Cemetery in Columbia during the 165th Infantry Brigade Memorial Day Ride event May 28.

A Soldier and his family place flags at the Gates of Heaven Cemetery in Columbia during the 165th Infantry Brigade Memorial Day Ride event May 28.

First Lt. Jessica Hindman, officer in charge of the Memorial Day Ride event, places flags at the Gates of Heaven Cemetery in Columbia May 28.

Riders from 165th Infantry Brigade came together May 28, to participate in the Motorcycle Mentorship Program, remember and honor the fallen for Memorial Day, as well as say farewell to their commander, Col. Eric Flesch.

Dwight Blue, operations officer at the 165th said the motorcycle program has been rejuvenated.

“This year I asked (Flesch), ‘Sir could we do something with the motorcycle mentors’ and he said, ‘Mr. Blue, the sky’s the limit.’”

These events allow riders in the brigade to meet the requirements of Army Regulation 385-10, The Army Safety Program, as well as link junior riders up with more senior riders.

Once they completed all the necessary safety checks, they presented

Motorcycle mentors of 165th Infantry Brigade gave Col. Eric Flesch a goodbye gift during the Memorial Day Ride event, May 28.

Flesch with a going away gift signed by all the safety officers and mentors. It read, “Presented to Col. Eric. C. Flesch, no one works harder for Soldiers. Thank you for your support from the 165th Infantry Brigade

motorcycle mentors.” His change of command is later this month.

Flesch said he appreciated a gift that combined two of his passions, being on two wheels and being a Soldier.

Motorcycles line the path at the Gates of Heaven Cemetary during the 165th Infantry Brigade Memoria Day Ride event May 28.

Following the gift presentation, the chaplain said a blessing over the ride, and several members of 165th took off on their motorcycles for the Gates of Heaven Cemetery in Columbia to lay flags on the roughly 68 headstones belonging to veterans.

First Lt. Jessica Hindman, Company A, 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, the officer in charge of the event, said it was an honor to remember those who have served. “Flags-in is a tradition that started in Arlington and is carried out nationally.”

“Many of the veterans’ graves looked like they hadn’t been visited in a long time, and to be able to take some time and let people know that they are not forgotten, was important to all of us,” Hindman said