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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Hundreds of motorcyclists rode in the longest law enforcement escorted motorcycle parade in Colorado Sunday.

"It's a veterans' ride. We're here to support the vets here and all money, all donations go to the veterans," Jim Rockett, a motorcyclist and veteran, said.

The Defenders of Freedom: Veterans Recognition Ride benefits the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Because of sponsors, all of the money raised will go to the Wounded Warrior Project.

"Every dollar we collect today goes to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation and the folks they take care of for us," Brian Wess, the ride's organizer, said. "I was planning on doing this as a one time event, and it just keeps ballooning."

Wess said 452 riders showed up to take part in the ride. Randy "Blaze" McKenna was one of the riders, who also owns Thunder Rain Inc.

"We get involved with all the veteran rides," McKenna said. "Everything we do is related to helping military families.

While McKenna wasn't able to serve himself, he said he does everything he can to support the military and their families. McKenna, who was 13 when many neighbors and friends were enlisting for Vietnam, said losing friends impacted his life greatly.

"I was raised a Catholic kid. These families had six, eight, 12 children in their families, and some of my brother's friends that I used to shoot hoops with in the driveway never came back," McKenna said. "It's really affected me my whole life. I wasn't able to serve myself, but I have this incredible respect for the men and women that go into the service and fight for our freedom. The families they leave behind are fighting just as hard as the people overseas, so if I can help the people left behind, then I feel like I've done a small part."

Another veteran, Tracy Rouse, is part of the Blue Knights, a motorcycle club for police officers. He said he's happy to help support the military.

"We're out there, everyday, supporting people's freedom, their civil liberties," Rouse said. 'This is just a way to give back, show our support to not only the fire department, the local police, but also the military."

Wess said early numbers show the riders helped raise about $8,500.