Iron Vet riders pay tribute to NM’s service members

The 2017 Iron Vet Ride from Wichita, Kan., to Albuquerque — arriving here tonight — will honor a group of eight fallen servicemen and servicewomen, including two New Mexicans.

This year’s motorcycle ride, organized by the AMVETS Riders Chapter 36 of Wichita, will focus on raising awareness of veteran suicide. The eight being honored are not necessarily suicide victims.

“We’re just a small group trying to get people’s attention for a good reason,” said Brett Wells, who works at the Wichita VA hospital and helped to organize the ride.

Those being honored include Española native Sgt. Pernell Herrera, who died of a heart attack while serving in Afghanistan in 2011, and Albuquerque native and Navy veteran Jamie Langfitt, who died earlier this year.

The 600-mile journey will end at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 401 at 2011 Girard Blvd. SE this evening, where dinner will be served and informational booths by the VA and other veteran advocacy groups will offer suicide prevention materials from about 7 to 8 p.m.

Around 7 a.m. Sunday, there will be a ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park, including a prayer and playing of taps.

“We’re just trying to make them feel welcome,” said Sarah Langley, a member of the Albuquerque AMVETS chapter.

Participants include AMVETS chapters from Wichita, Clovis and Albuquerque and the New Mexico American Legion Riders.

New Mexico riders will meet the Wichita group in Dalhart, Texas, and ride the rest of the way to Albuquerque with them.