BOISE - Two fallen Idaho soldiers were honored Sunday evening in an emotional patriotic display. The families of Philip Murphy-Sweet and Brandon Titus were presented with a distinguished service plaque that recognized each soldier’s sacrifice.
It's all a part of the Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Memorial Torch Motorcycle Ride - a 14 day, 3,000 mile journey that started in Eugene, Oregon and ends at Arlington National Cemetery. Along the way, motorcyclists stop at the homes of fallen soldiers to honor their sacrifices.
"They support us and that's what it's like for me now, now I feel a part of the family again," said Debra Titus, mother of Brandon Titus.
This is the fourth year Warren Williamson and his group have traveled from state to state paying fallen soldier home visits, as they call them, to say thank you to families for their sacrifice.
Motorcycle ride honors fallen Idaho soldiers
"It allows us to go from state to state and honor families," said Williamson, who is the executive director of Tribute to Fallen Soldiers NW.
Their mission: to make sure families know their loved ones have not been forgotten.
"The thing that's said to me the most from these families is their biggest fear is that they thought someone would forget, and that's why we do it," Williamson said.
This year they're making their most ambitious ride yet - from Eugene, Oregon to Washington D.C.
"We're going to be honoring 48 fallen soldiers through 12 different states, including here in Idaho," Williamson said.
Sunday, the group stopped by the Beaver family home in Parma to pay tribute to their son Philip Murphy-Sweet. Murphy-Sweet was killed back in 2007 while deployed in Iraq.
"I almost think Philip would be proud of it too," said his mother, Mary Beaver. "He'd be proud that he gave his life for his country."
Boise native Brandon Titus' family was also honored Sunday. Titus was killed in action back in 2004 while serving in Iraq.
"If he was here, had he come home. He'd be on a bike doing exactly what they're doing. He would be doing that," Debra Titus said.
A 3,000 mile mission to honor those families who've lost a loved one in the line of duty.
"The mementos that they give you are priceless, just priceless," Beaver said.
The group, based out of Eugene, Oregon, will be honoring two more of Idaho's fallen solders Monday: Sgt. James Holtom and Army Specialist Robert Dyas.
The ride is also carrying a torch that will stay lit for the entire trip. Organizers say once they get to the Arlington National Cemetery they will read all 48 names of the soldier’s homes they visited, and then put out the flame.