Motorcycle Run to Honor Memory of Mokena's Aaron Toppen

A motorcycle run to be held Sunday will be in remembrance of Mokena’s own Aaron Toppen, who died last year in Afghanistan.

The ride is to remember Army Pfc. Aaron Toppen and other fallen military members.

Toppen was one of five American troops killed June 9, 2014, from an air strike in one of the deadliest friendly-fire incidents in the war’s history. It’s believed the strike was called in after the Taliban ambushed Toppen’s unit.

The all-ages bike run begins at 8 a.m. Sunday at the Pipefitters Training Center Local 597, 10850 W. 187th St., in Mokena. The lineup and registration for motorists will be at 8 a.m. and the ride will begin at 10:30 a.m.

Participants will trek to Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood before returning to the training center in Mokena, at approximately 12:30 p.m. There a party will be held to celebrate local heroes. Country rock band Camille and the Tangled Hearts will play.

The ride is open to anyone, for $20 a driver and $10 a passenger. All are welcome to attend the ceremony and party afterward, for $10 a person. Kids under 12 years of age are free.

Proceeds will benefit the Lincolnway Special Recreation Association, with which Toppen and his fiancée were very involved.