The roars from hundreds of motorcycles barreling down Division Street could be heard across Dowagiac Sunday afternoon, as nearly 500 bikers from around the area rolled through town in tribute to the brave souls who lost their lives during the nation’s deadliest terrorist attack 15 years ago.

The local Eagles club once again hosted riders with the Berrien County Riders’ annual 9/11 Ride to Remember that day, serving as one of the stops for the procession of motorcycle riders making their way through Berrien and Cass counties Sunday.

Eagles members served participants in the race lunch that afternoon as well as provided some entertainment before they set back out to finish their ride, said Bob Ottinger, a trustee with the Dowagiac Eagles.

“We had cooked 527 brats and we had nine leftover by the end,” Ottinger said. “Everyone who was there got served.”

Four-hundred-eighty-three bikers participated in the ride this year, the largest so far in the event’s history, according to Ottinger.

The Berrien County Riders has organized the Ride to Remember for the past 15 years, as a way to pay tribute the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington D.C. and Shanksville, Pennsylvania that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people.

Sunday’s ride took participants from the starting point in St. Joseph to various different stops, including the one in Dowagiac.

All proceeds from the ride go to the American Red Cross. Drinks sold by the Eagles to the riders Sunday will also be donated to the Red Cross, Ottinger said.

The Dowagiac club has served as a stop for the riders for the past five years, after one of the club members and BC Riders member suggested the club get involved, Ottinger said.

“We have a lot of veterans who are members,” Ottinger said. “It is important for us to remember the people who served and those who have lost their lives for our country.”

The Dowagiac stop also drew the attention of locals wanting to show tribute on the 15th anniversary of the tragedy, with several local fire stations and dignitaries showing up during the event, Ottinger said. For the first time, the honor guard from the Dowagiac VFW also attended the event, presiding over a short memorial ceremony shortly after the bikers had arrived.

“There was not a dry eye in the place while they played taps,” Ottinger said. “Everyone was so touched.”