Members of the community joined veterans from the Wounded Veterans Project for the 12th annual Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride.

The event raises money for dozens of severely wounded U.S. military veterans and also hopes to increase awareness to aid veterans in their recovery process.

This year more than 54 wounded soldiers and more than 1,000 bikers from across Long Island and the Tri-State area took part in the 25-mile journey from Babylon Town Hall to Overlook Beach this morning.

"When I'm out, I'm thinking about my brothers and sisters (because) I've got to make sure that they're there and they're good," says Wounded Warrior Veteran Joey Hanson. "Me, I'm OK. I'm worried about them, I worry about them most of all. And seeing people outside waving, I mean, it brings so much and I realized that we're not alone."

Before the race began, Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer presented an $80,000 check to the Wounded Warriors Project.

As part of the event, riders passed along a flag that World War II veteran Frank Agoglia presented to Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. Bellone then took that flag to Omaha Beach for the 75th anniversary of D-Day. The flag will permanently be displayed at the Dennison building.

The event has raised over a million dollars to support veterans over the years.