Every morning when I wake up,  I look at a bracelet on my wrist.   It is a very simple bracelet.   Black and silver.   I have been wearing it for two years.   Every day.  It has molded itself around my wrist.

Every morning when I look at this bracelet,  I wish that I was not wearing it.

remembering Nicholas Xiarhos

On July 23,  2009 Marine Cpl. Nicholas Xiarhos died of combat wounds in Garmsir,  Afghanistan.  He was 21 years old.   He was a Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW) Gunner,  Squad Leader  with 2nd Battalion,  8th Marine Weapons  Company based at Camp Lejune,  North Carolina.  He was a son.   He was a brother.   He was a friend.

A memorial motorcycle ride was established to honor him,  and the other fallen heroes of Cape Cod.   The second annual “Big Nick’s Ride for the Fallen” took place on July 23, 2011.    Although the day also marked two years since Nick’s death,  it was also a beautiful time of remembrance.   His father said a few words that were so moving.   I’ve forgotten exactly what Steve said,  I can only recall wondering how he kept his composure when talking about his son that was taken away too soon.

There was a sense of excitement that I did not expect to feel.    The energy was high.   The participants seemed filled with adrenaline to be a part of this honorable ride.   I was in awe of the number of motorcycles that were participating.

Here are a few of the photographs that I took:

 

 

452 Motorcyclists participated in this ride.  The photo below is of my mom’s wrist – she was the counter.  She wears a POW bracelet from WWII  {that my grandmother wore before her} and the same memorial bracelet honoring Nick that I wear.

If you are interested in learning more about Big Nick’s Ride for the Fallen, please visit their webpage here  or the Facebook page here.