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TRIBUTE TO THE TROOPS MARKS 7TH YEAR

-September 7, 2010

It's an event that honors the men and women who serve our country. It also honors the families of U.S. service members who've made the ultimate sacrifice.

Each year, volunteers with "Tribute to the Troops" hop on their motorcycles to visit the families of Minnesota's fallen heroes. CTN's Stephanie Ring has more:

"Our grandbabies are growing up without a daddy."

William "BJ" Beardsley of Coon Rapids led security missions in Iraq. In February of 2007, he was killed when a roadside bomb exploded while on duty.

His mother Dianna Beardsley says, "It's never the same, it's a new normal. You know, I mean holidays are different, every event we do is different."

Jim and Dianna Beardsley know they can't change what happened. But they've found a way to keep their son's memory alive.

Dianna says, "Our son loved motorcycles, he was a huge patriot. If he could have done what we're doing, he would just be in his glory, he would be eating this whole thing up."

Jim and Dianna are a part of Tribute to the Troops, a non-profit organization that honors Minnesota's fallen heroes.

Jim Beardsley says, "We felt like we could give a perspective to Tribute from a Gold Star family, a perspective that they didn't have."

Created by country music artist Rockie Lynne and friend Gregg Schmitt, Tribute to the Troops is in it's 7th year. Each September, dozens of people take part in a motorcycle ride to visit families who've lost loved ones in the military.

Rockie Lynne says, "We do it just to say somebody really cares that you lost your loved one, you lost your dad, mom, brother or uncle."

The volunteers travel all over the state. This year they'll visit eight families. And after the visits, Rockie Lynne performs a memorial concert. A touching tribute to the men and women in uniform.

Lynne says, "We'd like to invite people to come, they'd enjoy it I think."

And for those who receive the visits, it leaves a lasting impression. Proof that a community can come together to show support when people need it most.

Dianna Beardsley says, "Yeah, it will be a visit we never forget."

Stephanie Ring, CTN News.

This year's Tribute to the Troops event will be held September 10th through the 12th and includes a motorcycle ride and memorial concert. For more information, go to www.tributetothetroops.org

Also this week on CTN News