Had Robert Rockwell known it was going to take more than 10 minutes for an estimated 1,800 bikes to leave Wicker Memorial Park’s southeast gate, he’d have crossed the line once the engines roared.

The U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer from Griffith did find his opportunity to jet — he’d parked over in the Highland Walgreens parking lot to avoid traffic and get his kids to their respective soccer games — but not before marveling at all the bikers who came to ride in the 26th annual Victory for Veterans Motorcycle Ride starting at Wicker Memorial Park in Highland Sunday morning. It was his first time seeing it in action, and he loved it.

“This is incredible,” Rockwell said.

The event’s keynoter, Rockwell, who recently returned from a deployment in the Middle East, said getting back into the

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