It was a motorcycle ride where thousand's of bikers rode to a military monument to pay respect to the country's fallen heroes.

But the monument wasn't located in Washington D.C.. Not even in the United States.

In ceremonies similar to those taken by their American-riding cousins, six thousand British bikers paid their respects to fallen soldiers at a special ceremony in Staffordshire, located in the western part of England.

It was the second annual Ride To The Wall with the destination of the National Memorial Arboretum. Home of the Armed Forces Memorial, the first national memorial in Britain is a striking and emotive structure honors British service personnel who have died on duty or as a result of terrorist action since the Second World War.

An entire spectrum of British society was represented on the ride. Journalists, members of the clergy, military veterans wearing medals were among the bikers travelling to the military memorial. Riders from as far away as Penzance, Brighton and northern Scotland attended the event.
 
Organizers gave an official number of 6,000 motorcycles riding through the gates of the memorial. bikes went through the arboretum gates.

"I think what you have seen today is the start of something really big - this will grow over time," Major General Lamont Kirkland and Harley-Davidson rider told reporters.

"It's deeply emotional and it's deeply poignant - bikers are deeply respectful people," he continued, "It shows we are supported very strongly at home and that the Army has never been held in higher regard."

Officials at the memorial have said the Ride to the Wall event brought the largest attendance the arboretum has seen this year.

The service included a fly-past from a Spitfire fighter and the laying of wreaths at the memorial. Organizers hope this year's fundraising exceeds last years total of  £10,000, donated to the memorial.