VIDEO: Bikers Pack Fairfax Blvd. for Memorial Day Tribute

Thousands of bikers lined up along Fairfax Boulevard Sunday to make the trek to Washington D.C. for Rolling Thunder, an annual Memorial Day ride to honor veterans.

The 13th annual Ride of the Patriots gave tribute to not only those who fought in the Vietnam War, but all veterans, police and firefighters who put their lives on the line to protect others.

Hogs stood at the ready four and five to a row, stretching from the Patriot Harley Davidson past Captain Pell's in Fairfax City. Police and fire squads from the city, county and surrounding areas gathered to see them off.

Patriot Harley Davidson president Robert Dehaven asked the riders to wave to a Vienna woman, the mother of late Army Spc. Stephen Mace. She told Dehaven she'd watch the ride from Nutley near I-66. Mace, 21, died in October 2009 after his outpost was attacked by 200 Taliban insurgents. He and the other soldiers held off the insurgents for eight hours until they were finally overwhelmed. Mace was buried in the Arlington National Cemetery.

"When they said they need to fall back, he and three others went forward," Dehaven told the crowd. "She wanted me to make sure that you all know how much she appreciates what we're doing. So when you go out there today and get up by Nutley Street, wave to Mrs. Mace and throw her a kiss and thank her. She'll be there."

Fairfax City councilwoman Eleanor Schmidt, Delegate David Bulova and Senator Chap Petersen thanked the veterans in the crowd for their service. The event also featured performances from the Fairfax High School band and the Northern Virginia Firefighter's Emerald Society Pipe Band.