Hoards of motorcyclists are expected to pass through Butler County June 9. Some will be riding for freedom. Some for their loved ones. Others will ride for their love of bikes.

But all will be riding for a special cause.

"We're doing this because the families need to know people care," said Bill Tomko of veterans' families.

Tomko of Harrisville heads the Western Pennsylvania Families of Fallen Heroes Foundation, created in 2004 to provide charitable funds for the families of soldiers who have died in Afghanistan or Iraq.

This will be the foundation's second memorial ride. It will have multiple starting points in 15 counties around Western Pennsylvania. Riders pay $10 to participate. The various legs of the trip will meet for a final stop at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Hermitage, where a ceremony will honor fallen soldiers.

Tomko believes the riders are the best group to honor the soldiers' memory.

"Most of the guys are veterans, having served in Iraq or Desert Storm," he said. "There is no better group of people to honor, respect and dignify the families."

Tomko estimates the excursion will attract between 3,000 and 5,000 riders. Last year it drew 1,500.

"It's a pretty big thing," he said. "It's amazing how many people have told us, 'thank you.' It makes you feel pretty good."

Tomko started the foundation after his nephew was killed fighting in Iraq in 2003. Sgt. Nicholas Tomko of McKees Rocks had formerly lived in Butler.

"I saw what I went through and what his family went through, so I wanted to do all I could to help," Tomko said.

The foundation helps families with utility bills, car repairs and medical expenses. It also pays for funeral related expenses.

Funding is also used to provide bracelets to the family with information on the late soldier. To allow families to come to terms with their loss, the foundation seeks donations of time at places of respite.

One leg of the trek will begin in Franklin, Venango County, and will pass through Harrisville, Slippery Rock and Grove City. A ceremony is planned at the courthouse in Mercer before riders travel to Hermitage.

Riders will stop for a break at County Market in Grove City at 1 p.m. Those wanting to sign up in Franklin must arrive between 8 and 9:30 a.m. at a parking lot on Route 8 North, just prior to Pone Lane.

Ron Rumbaugh, Mercer County route coordinator for the event, urges riders to come out rain or shine.

"To me the weather is a minor factor," he said. "Those who died, did so in rain, snow, sleet or shine. Our true reason for riding is to let the families know people care and that their soldiers didn't die for nothing."

Stops will be made at various locations and small ceremonies conducted, including the reading of the names of local soldiers who have died.

Details of the Butler leg of the trip were unavailable.

The concluding ceremony at Hermitage will be at 5:30 p.m.

For information, call 724-981-5882 or contact Tomko by e-mail at wt@zoominternet.net. Information can also be found at the foundation's Web site: www.wpffh.org.