The rumble of motorcycles provided the percussion Sunday morning as the Star-Spangled Banner was played on Rolfe Street.

Dozens of cyclists from a variety of bike clubs were getting ready to queue up for the annual “Run for Holly,” a memorial ride in honor of Marine Lance Cpl. Holly A. Charette who was killed in Iraq in 2005.

She was 21 years old and was the first female Marine killed During Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“This is for Holly,” said her parents, Regina and Ed Roberts, of Coventry.  The family has organized the ride since about 2008, and some years it has drawn several hundred riders — many of them veterans themselves. In recent years it has been scaled down due to safety concerns, and family members estimated that there were about 75 riders participating Sunday.

Their route would take them to the RI Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter and then farther south to Scarborough Beach — one of Holly’s favorite places to go.  Afterwards, a steak fry was held at the American Legion Post in Charlestown and scholarships were awarded in her name.

“She always made a difference,” Ed Roberts said.  “We want to remember her.”

Many of those who rode Sunday are members of bike clubs associated with veterans’ organizations, including VFW and American Legion posts. Holly graduated from Cranston High School East, but before that lived in Coventry and went to school there.

“I was at her funeral,” said Charles Petrarca, a retired Army Brigadier General, as he prepared to get into formation for the start of the run. “I’m still riding for her.”

Police departments from across the state also wanted to be part of the remembrance ride. There were motorcycle officers from departments that included Providence, Cranston, Bristol, Newport and North Providence.

The ride officially began at 10 a.m. with a contingent of motorcycles from the various police departments leading the way. All the cyclists had gathered in advance on Rolfe Street, right next to the U.S. Post Office Branch that was rededicated in Holly’s name.

Many of the volunteers who were helping riders get ready wore sweatshirts inscribed with the words “Some gave all. All gave some.”

Editor’s Note: Barbara Polichetti, a Cranston resident, is a regular contributor to the Cranston Herald and Johnston SunRise. Contact Polichetti at bpolichetti@gmail.com.