Bikers from all over New England roared into the Onset V.F.W last Sunday for the 8^th annual Rick Graham Diabetes Awareness Memorial Ride. In its second year of being hosted in Onset, the event drew a sizable amount of bikers out to celebrate the life of Rick Graham and raise awareness of diabetes.

Graham was a 24-year veteran of the Boston Fire Department when he had a diabetes-related heart attack while riding his bike, later dying of the injuries he sustained. "I enjoyed working with him...most of the guys at the department were real broken up," says fellow firefighter William Right.

"He deserves every honor he can get... he was a real good man," said Linda Coleman, Graham's girlfriend.

Also deserving of credit is Fitzgerald "Fitz" Allen, who runs the event and guides the riders.  With Allen's help the event has grown from "six people sponsoring out of pocket," as he said, to a doubling in profits between last year's event and the event in 2008.

"When Fitz came on the scene, things really took off," says Coleman. "We needed a leader."

"I grew up with Fitzy in Dorchester," says Donald Gulfield, "Every year it runs orderly, never any problems."

The event has also helped raise money to put Graham's son through school. Richard Graham Jr. was 18 when his father passed. "Nothing brings a bigger smile to my face than seeing everyone come together like this," Graham said at the event.

In addition to a ride from Boston to Onset, the event also included a barbeque at the Onset V.F.W. with music, beer-and-wine tastings, a Harley raffle, and motorcycle games.

In the slow race, the slowest rider wins, but nobody's feet can touch the ground.

In the hot dog game a male will ride with a woman on the back of the bike who tries to bite a hot dog hanging from a rope and pulley. Whoever takes the biggest bite wins.

But there was a serious message to be shared along with the fun.

Allen was a close friend of Graham, and was with him in the hospital the night he died. According to Allen the event encompasses two causes: memorializing friends and promoting awareness of diabetes.

"The memorial ride represents all the riders who have fallen before us," he said.  He also thinks that "if a bunch of big motorcycle guys can admit they have health problems," it could encourage others to take care of their health.

He expressed concern about a lack of understanding among the older generation regarding diabetes. "Old timers say 'someone put it here' [they] don't think it makes sense for diabetes to become an epidemic, seemingly without warning.

So he felt that roaring through town on a motorcycle would attract attention.

"As long as we stay shut in and don't network, we won't make any progress," Fitz said.