This memorial was founded by Ohio Abate members and friends on July 24th 1993…Since then the wall has been growing…this wall is located in Hopedale, Ohio at the American Legion. This is very much out in the country and one would never know this wall exists!!! I stumbled upon the Memorial Wall back in 2000 by a fellow that I was dating. He took me there…
What I like about this is every Memorial Day instead of the ones going to the wall in DC, they go there to the Legion and they own quite a bit of land up on that hillside, not sure how much, but it's acres. On every Sat morning during that weekend friends, family and bikers all gather up on the hill at the Memorial and have a services with a Pastor, for all the fallen brothers and sisters lost. Attendees can say what they want about anyone mentioned on the wall, this is very touching, to say the least. A lot of tears are shed…
For four days, on Memorial Day weekend, all Abate members & bikers gather for a party, camping, heavy drinking and rock n roll with venders. There are tents and campers everywhere, in the coves, and if it rains it turns into a mud bath! It’s a good ol’ fashioned Abate party, as we are all accustomed too.
We take time out on Saturday morning to honor our loved ones, whose names are now engraved in stone /granite forever or at least for the next 100 yrs. Hundreds attend every year. Many have never heard of it, until now, as I unveil the secret up on the hill. It's 100 miles from Cheswick, Pa back in the woods…plus we like it that way too, keeps the yups out!!! Partying there reminds me of the partying back in the ‘80s.
You will find on any given day someone riding up the hill to spend time at the memorial or perhaps finding it for the first time. Even though it's a legion property with Abate members, all are welcome to go in the bar and drink and socialize if they please. I have never been carded.
Anyone can have a rider’s name engraved on the wall. The cost is $150.00 or you can get a brick for, I believe 50.00. This memorial is taking care of on a regular basis by the Abate members including Diek, whom is in charge of the name engraving…
It still touches my heart, and it’s a wonderful way to put a dear friend in stone for remembrance for a long, long time….I wanted to do this for my friend, Tracy, instead of wasting my money on flowers. It will be so nice to take her husband, son, mother, family members out and dear friends to see her remembered, always.
–Denise
luuezz@connecttime.net
–from Rogue
Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Member 2005
www.bikerrogue.com
Correction: This Memorial was built and is cared for by the Motorcyclist Memorial Foundation. We are not actually connected to ABATE of Ohio in any way and are not able to make that affiliation. Memorial Day weekend is held and sponsored by the 16 member Board of the MMF with all the profits going to the Memorial Foundation for scholarships and upkeep of the site.
If you have any questions, please contact me at this email address or at 304-374-3368.
Thank you for your support and good intentions.
–Brianne Lawson
Board Member, MMF
