By Ernst Kuglin/Trentonian

It will be a ride to remember.

The annual Heroes Highway Ride, organized by Perfect Pigs Motorcycle Club draws thousands of riders across the country.

But there’s nothing piggish about the event scheduled for June 2. The event will raise money for the Wounded Warriors campaign and the Tony Stacey Centre for Veteran’s Care in Scarborough.

Club vice president Lou DeVuono said as many as 7,000 riders, including hundreds from the U.S. will be part of this year’s ride down the Highway of Heroes.

“Our event is free. Any monies that are raised are purely voluntary,” said DeVuono. “We do not charge a registration fee. We feel that any sort of fees have already been paid by our soldiers with their lives, their blood and sweat on our behalf.”

This year’s Grand Marshall is Darlene Cushman, the mother of Trooper Darryl Caswell. He was killed June 11, 2007 in an IED blast in Afghanistan.

“The ride nearly coincides on the five-year anniversary of his death. It’s going to be pretty emotional for Darlene. It’s very brave of her to do this,” said DeVuono.

This years ride will start at CFB Trenton.

Included in the ranks of motorcycle riders will be hundreds of U.S. veterans who belong to the Jewish Motorcycle Alliance and Mission 25, a Christian based motorcycle club. Both groups will be part of the massive rolling Thunder rally held annually in Washington, D.C.

DeVuono said it’s the first time both groups have ridden outside the U.S.

“They will be here for a ceremony on Parliament Hill May 31 and will then head to CFB Trenton for the Heroes ride,” said DeVuono.

The Perfect Pigs club will act as ambassadors in Canada and will escort the U.S. based clubs to CFB Trenton.

DeVuono said the thousands of riders will be served breakfast at CFB Trenton. The food will be donated.

For a $5 donation, the proceeds from the breakfast will be split between two local charities selected by 8 Wing Commanding Officer, Col. Sean Friday and Quinte West Mayor John Williams.

Just prior to heading out on the Highways of Heroes, the ride will stop at the site of the Afghanistan Repatriation Memorial.

“The two American groups want to offer their blessings to the site,” said DeVuono.

In addition, the clubs will likely make a presentation to Williams for the memorial.

De DeVuono was at Monday’s Quinte West city council meeting. He presented Mayor John Williams with a certificate of appreciation and handed out t-shirts to city councillors and other officials.

City council passed a resolution supporting the 2012 ride.

For more information on the 2012 event go to www.heroshighwayride.com