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Memorial ride Saturday to benefit family of fallen Marine

For the fourth year, the Brieanne Dietz Memorial Ride charity will raise money to support a West Virginia family who lost a loved one due to a vehicle accident.  This year’s event will be held this Saturday at Marvin’s Mountaintop in Masontown.

The nonprofit charity was established after Brieanne Dietz, of Reedsville, was killed in an ATV accident on Aug. 4, 2018, in Preston County, said Dietz’s mother Mariea Hamm.

“We established this organization to be able to sponsor a family to help them with any expenses they incur after the loss of a mother, father, or a child in a motorized vehicle accident,” she said.

Hamm said the organization always chooses a family from West Virginia, and this year the proceeds will be donated to the family of Pfc. Zachary Riffle, a U.S. Marine who was killed in a tactical military vehicle accident at Camp Lejeune in January.

Registration for Saturday’s ride will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the ride itself starting at noon.  The ride route should take about two hours, with a stop at Dietz’s gravesite.  A large mud pit will also be available for riders who want to have some fun in the mud.

The charity is asking for a $10 donation for registration to participate.

After the ride, the event will continue with dinner and entertainment.  Hamm said there are also campsites with 50 amp hookups for $25 and any tent camping is free of charge.

Hamm said any type of off-road or AWD drive vehicle will be able to handle the ride route and ATVs, Jeeps, dirt bikes, and the like are welcome to join.

The event and ride route are family-friendly, Hamm said, so it’s safe for the kids to come along.

“Nothing dangerous or any crazy trail riding,” she said.

More information on Saturday’s ride or other events held annually by the organization can be found on their Facebook page: Brieanne Dietz Memorial Ride.

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