JAMESTOWN - The commander of the National Guard's 141st Engineer Combat Battalion says a motorcycle run in memory of four colleagues killed in Iraq drew strong community support.

The weekend event was a memorial Spec. James Holmes, Spec. Philip Brown, Staff Sgt. Lance Koenig and Spec. Cody Wentz.

Lt. Col. Robert Fode, commander of the 141st, said he was grateful for the support for the ride, and remembered how difficult it was to hear of the soldiers' deaths.

"The good Lord only gives as much as you can stand, but it's difficult," Fode said.

More than 200 people registered for the weekend motorcycle run. The participants included Richard and Deidra Brown, parents of Phil Brown, and Bob and Lynn Koenig, parents of Lance Koenig, also participated.

"It was beautiful. It was something Lance would have really enjoyed. If he had come back, he'd have been here," Lynn Koenig said.

Bob Koenig said he had tears in his eyes, thinking about his son. "He gave so we can be free," he said.

"We're proud of our son," Lynn Koenig said. "He gave the ultimate sacrifice."

The Browns went to the cemetery to visit their son's grave after the ride returned to Jamestown, with some of the members of the 141st.

Gov. John Hoeven rode with Fode to Valley City.

"It's a great event," Hoeven said. "A great way to remember and honor our Guardsmen and a great turnout of Guardsmen. It's a good mix of people. You've got kids all the way up to grandparents."

Since his tour of duty in Iraq has ended, Fode said, he realizes his "family" has grown to include other veterans of the war in Iraq, and also veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Bosnia.

Ryan Metcalf and Matt Nielson, both members of the 142nd Engineers Combat Battalion who live in Valley City, joined the ride there. The 142nd served in Iraq before the 141st.

"I know most of the guys," Metcalf said. "I know what they went through."

Nelson said, "I think it (run) gets more people involved, more people interested in the Guard and what the Guard is about. It gives the community a chance to rally around the troops."

First Lt. Cory Bohne said Lance Koenig was in his platoon when he was killed.

"It's (the memorial run) a good idea," Bohne said. "It's a reason for the guys to get together out of uniform. It's nice to meet new people."

Mark Chapin, a close friend of Phil Brown, said he and others of the 141st stay in contact with the Browns and Koenigs. He suggested the memorial run be held every year.

After expenses are deducted, the money from the ride will be donated to the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan.

The idea was born in the Iraqi desert one night, over the hood of a Humvee. Staff Sgt. Steven Geigle and Sgt. Mark McMahon were talking about the deaths of the soldiers.

"We both ride bikes (motorcycles), and we got to talking, and one thing led to another," Geigle said.

"I talked to Julie Bryan and asked her if the CMA (Christian Motorcyclists Association) would host a ride," McMahon said. "We had Amy Dobler (a member of the 141st who works in public relations) print up fliers for us about a run."

After the word spread, members of the 141st started talking about buying motorcycles, McMahon said.

"Every month or so, someone would run up to Steve or I and say, 'I bought a bike,"' he said.

Paul and Julie Bryan worked with other members of the CMA and stayed in contact with Geigle and McMahon, and the idea for the run grew.

"It isn't just for the 141st," Geigle said.