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Traveling Tomb of the Unknown Soldier comes to Western Pennsylvania

Traveling Tomb of the Unknown Soldier escorted to Pittsburgh
Traveling Tomb of the Unknown Soldier escorted to Pittsburgh 01:20

ZELIENOPLE (KDKA) – As people celebrate the Fourth of July, one local community is hosting a unique and moving monument that honors the men and women who have given their lives for our freedom.

On Friday night, hundreds of motorcyclists escorted the Traveling Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to Zelienople.

Gregory Bigger, the president of the American Legion Riders in Zelienople helped organize the ride that escorted the Traveling Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

"We got a call in December that it was coming into town, we had a beautiful ride in," he said. "Patriotism is alive and well in Pennsylvania – just seeing people out there waving flags and cheering us on, it was beautiful."

The riders picked up the tomb in New Castle and the procession led them from the old Sears Building on West State Street in New Castle and took the tomb for display at Four Corners Park in Zelienople.

"A lot of us guys go to DC, we see the real one, this is great, it's been in town twice now, and it's an honor to come to our town," Bigger said. "It means a lot – it really does mean a lot – truly a humbling and great honor. If you can't go to DC, this is incredible. We were honored to come out here, and get people together, Fourth of July Weekend, you can't get a better weekend than that."

The tomb is at Four Corners Park, and an opening ceremony will happen today and then it will be on display until Tuesday.

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