07/08/2026
WHY WE RIDE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Big Nick’s Ride for the Fallen XVII Returns to Honor Cape Cod’s Fallen Heroes and Their Gold Star Families
Sunday, July 19, 2026
Opening Ceremony: 9:00 a.m. | Memorial Ride Begins: 10:00 a.m.
Starting Location: Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office
MEDIA CONTACT
Dawn Roche, Ride Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 508-737-0086
Additional Information, Registration, and Event Details:
www.bignicksride.org
Cape Cod Comes Together to Remember, Honor, and Serve
Cape Cod, Massachusetts — Big Nick’s Ride for the Fallen will return for its 17th annual memorial motorcycle ride on Sunday, July 19, 2026, bringing together more than 1,000 motorcycles, thousands of spectators, veterans, first responders, military families, and supporters from across Cape Cod and beyond to honor the sacrifice of our fallen heroes and their Gold Star families.
Recognized as the largest motorcycle ride on Cape Cod and the Islands, Big Nick’s Ride is a powerful tribute to U.S. Marine Corporal Nicholas G. Xiarhos of Yarmouth, who was killed in action in Afghanistan on July 23, 2009, and to all 16 Cape Cod service members who made the ultimate sacrifice defending our nation.
The ride honors every veteran, active-duty service member, and all those who returned home and continue to serve their communities in countless ways.
A Morning of Remembrance
The day begins at the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office, where the solemn Opening Ceremony starts at 9:00 a.m.
This meaningful ceremony includes the National Anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance, patriotic music, color guards, the reading of the names of the Cape Cod Fallen 16, and the ringing of a memorial bell after each name.
Barnstable County Sheriff Donna Buckley will welcome participants and guests as the community gathers to remember those who gave everything for our freedom.
At 10:00 a.m., the motorcycles will depart for a 35-mile fully police-escorted memorial ride.
The safe and organized procession is made possible through the dedication of the Cape Cod Motorcycle Regional Unit, the Massachusetts State Police Motor Unit, and numerous local law enforcement agencies that work together to honor our heroes and provide a safe ride for all participants.
A Ride Filled With Meaning
The route begins at the Sheriff’s Office and travels down General MacArthur Boulevard to the Bourne Rotary, turning right onto Sandwich Road and continuing alongside the beautiful Cape Cod Canal.
Riders then travel east along historic Route 6A through the towns of Bourne, Sandwich, Barnstable, and Yarmouth.
Along the route, Cape Cod comes together in unforgettable moments of remembrance and respect.
In Barnstable Village, as the procession passes St. Mary’s Church on Route 6A, parishioners gather to bless the motorcycles with holy water and offer prayers for the riders, veterans, and families of our fallen heroes.
The ride continues through Yarmouth Port onto Setucket Road and North Dennis Road, passing the home of Corporal Nicholas G. Xiarhos.
Riders then cross the United States Marine Corporal Nicholas G. Xiarhos Veterans Memorial Overpass on Great Western Road, where bagpipers will perform the Marine Corps Hymn as the procession travels beneath the bridge—a deeply moving tribute to a Marine who gave his life for his country.
The ride continues onto North Main Street, passing Will Donovan’s Last Mile, before turning onto Regional Avenue and Station Avenue.
As riders pass the front of Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School, they will travel beneath a massive American flag proudly displayed overhead by the Yarmouth and Dennis Fire Departments.
Along the front of the school, photographs of each member of the Cape Cod Fallen 16 will be displayed beside American flags, creating a powerful tribute visible to every rider and spectator.
The procession then continues onto White’s Path and concludes at Sea Dog Brew Pub, where riders and supporters will gather for an after-ride celebration featuring food, live entertainment, fellowship, and gratitude.
Honoring Those Who Served — Supporting Those Who Came Home
While Big Nick’s Ride for the Fallen begins as a tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, its mission extends far beyond remembrance.
A central part of Big Nick’s Ride is strengthening those who served, made it home, and continue to face the challenges that can follow their service, including those struggling with post-traumatic stress and the invisible wounds of war.
The mission is to stand beside veterans, active-duty military members, first responders, and their families by providing support, resources, connection, and hope.
Big Nick’s Ride is committed to raising awareness about veteran mental health and doing everything possible to help prevent veteran su***de.
At the conclusion of the ride at Sea Dog Brew Pub, participants will gather for live music, food, fellowship, and a celebration of the service and sacrifice that unite our community.
The post-ride celebration will also feature an extraordinary and deeply moving display: the Global War on Terror (GWOT) Memorial Flag.
This remarkable American flag honors more than 7,000 fallen heroes from the Global War on Terror and the Gold Star families who carry their legacy forward.
Measuring 28 feet wide by 6 feet tall, the flag is constructed from more than 7,000 dog tags representing those who gave their lives in service to our nation.
The design symbolizes the shape of the American flag when it is draped over the casket of a fallen service member. The display also includes 50 gold stars honoring Gold Star families nationwide and a battlefield cross sculpted from mahogany wood by veteran artist Alicia Dietz.
Since 2018, this memorial has traveled to more than 200 locations across the country, sharing the stories of our fallen heroes and reminding Americans of the tremendous price of freedom.
As part of Big Nick’s Ride for the Fallen XVII, the GWOT Memorial Flag will honor all those who made the ultimate sacrifice, including Cape Cod’s own Fallen 16, connecting their names and their families to the thousands of heroes nationwide who fought and died to keep our nation free.
Riders, veterans, families, and community members will also have the opportunity to visit resource booths from veteran-related organizations throughout Cape Cod. These organizations provide valuable information, programs, and services designed to support veterans, active-duty service members, first responders, and their families.
The post-ride gathering is more than a celebration—it is a place to remember the fallen, support those who came home, connect people with resources, and remind everyone that help is available.
The message is simple: no one who served should ever feel alone.
Cape Cod Stands Together
Residents and visitors are encouraged to line the route throughout the day.
Wave an American flag. Offer a salute. Hold a sign. Show your appreciation.
Every gesture matters.
For the riders—and especially for the Gold Star families traveling at the front of the procession—seeing Cape Cod come together is a powerful reminder that their loved ones are remembered and their sacrifices will never be forgotten.
“Big Nick’s Ride is about honoring our heroes, supporting our Gold Star families, and bringing people together around the values that make our nation great—faith, family, freedom, and service,” said State Representative Steven G. Xiarhos, founder of Big Nick’s Ride and father of Corporal Nicholas G. Xiarhos. “Every year, Cape Cod shows the world what gratitude and patriotism look like. We invite everyone to come out, wave a flag, and stand with these families.”
An All-Volunteer Mission
Big Nick’s Ride for the Fallen is an all-volunteer event conducted under the guidance of Veterans Collaborative.
Each rider pays a $20 registration fee, which includes the fully escorted memorial ride, food, and live entertainment following the event.
Through the generosity of sponsors, donors, volunteers, and participants, every penny raised is given back to individuals and organizations in need.
The mission remains simple: serve others, honor our heroes, strengthen our veterans, and continue making a difference.
Honoring Cape Cod’s Fallen 16
U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Alicia A. Birchett — Mashpee
U.S. Army Private First-Class Paul E. Conlon — Mashpee
U.S. Navy Captain Gerald F. DeConto — Sandwich
U.S. Army Sergeant Alexander H. Fuller — Barnstable
U.S. Army Sergeant Matthew R. Gallagher — Falmouth
U.S. Navy SEAL Kevin A. Houston — Barnstable
U.S. Marine Captain Eric A. Jones — Mashpee
U.S. Marine Corps Private First-Class Becket Kiernan — Falmouth
U.S. Marine Private First Class Daniel A.C. McGuire — Mashpee
U.S. Army Sergeant Matthew A. Pucino — Bourne
U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Stephen A. Sprague — Yarmouth
U.S. Army Private First-Class Clinton E. Springer II — Bourne
U.S. Army Sergeant Zachary D. Tellier — Falmouth
U.S. Army Sergeant Mark R. Vecchione — Eastham
U.S. Navy Commander Francis T. Williams — Sandwich
U.S. Marine Corporal Nicholas G. Xiarhos — Yarmouth
From all of us at Big Nick’s Ride for the Fallen and the Nicholas G. Xiarhos Memorial Foundation, thank you to every sponsor, donor, volunteer, law enforcement officer, firefighter, first responder, veteran, service member, and citizen who helps make this day possible.
We love our great nation and remain forever grateful to the men and women who serve and defend her.
Join us Sunday, July 19, 2026, for Big Nick’s Ride for the Fallen XVII.
We will never forget.
🇺🇸❤️⭐️🙏🏻🏍️💨
Barnstable County Sheriff's Office
BIG NICK’S RIDE FOR THE FALLEN XVII
The Nicholas G. Xiarhos Memorial Fund
Veterans Collaborative
Baskin's Ace Hardware
Cycle Services
Cape Cod Harley-Davidson
Cape Cod Regional Motorcycle Unit
Massachusetts State Police
Hyannis Honda
Balise Ford of Cape Cod
