SPARTA, Mich. (WOOD) — The sounds of freedom reverberated through the streets of Sparta, Cedar Spring and Kent City Friday as the 11th annual Freedom Cruise honored fallen U.S. Army Sgt. Steven Ganczewski.

“I can’t say it gets easier because you’ll have an easy day and then the next day you’ll wake up and it’s a hard one,” his widow Rachel Ganczewski said.

The two met in the U.S. Army after they signed up following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Rachel Ganczewski described her husband as thoughtful, avid reader and into wrestling.

He died in a combat-related incident on Nov. 16, 2007, while deployed in Iraq.

“Today is very emotional. Remembering my husband. Remember all those fallen comrades, all my fallen comrades,” Rachel Ganczewski said Friday.

Military veterans, gold star families and supporters lined the streets of Sparta, Cedar Springs and Kent City as the honorary Finish the Mission motorcycle ride cruised through each town, escorting a bus.

“These families on that bus there have lost veterans in service to our country,” ride captain Scott Christie said. “And we believe they need to be recognized and supported and their loss, their tragedy should never be forgotten.”

Finish the Mission supports veterans by connecting them to resources. Last year, its Freedom Cruise honored late U.S. Marine Capt. Miguel Nava of Comstock Park.