In the days after getting back from war, many soldiers receive the royal treatment, greeted by friends, family and in some cases their entire home town.

But for those wounded on the battlefield fighting for the freedoms we enjoy, sometimes the crowds are much smaller, usually consisting of family members and medical professionals whose sole mission is to give the soldier the encouragement needed to recover from his or her injuries.

Knowing wars are never fought alone, servicemen and women from the Carolinas are doing their part to help their comrades, joining them on the front lines as they take on a battle some will fight for the rest of their lives.

Hundreds of troops will roll through Gaffney and other towns in the Palmetto State in everything from motorcycles, humvees and other vehicles on their way to Chimney Rock, N.C., as part of the "Ride to the Rock" Sept. 19 in support of the state's Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).

Initially formed by a group of veterans and brothers who were moved by the stories of wounded service members returning home from battle lines overseas, the Wounded Warrior Project was created as a way to give soldiers more than the ticker tape parades or brass bands that are usually part of a hero's welcome home.

According to U.S. Navy Gunner's Mate-Guns (GMG) -2 Danny Edwards, the idea for the "Ride for the Rock" was born from the fact that him and many of his peers spend free time aboard their motorcycles.

"A lot of us have been riding for a while," Edwards said, "and with us needing something to do, having a motorcycle ride just came naturally."

More than 400 riders made the more than 100- mile journey from Rock Hill to Chimney Rock last year. Edwards estimates up to 600 troops could be part of this year's ride.

However, the lasting impression for Edwards was not necessarily the ride. It was the outpouring of support from those living in the communities along the route.

"Seeing people waving their American flags as we drove through was quite an emotional moment for us," Edwards said.

Upon arrival at the National Guard Armory in Chimney Rock, Edwards and other service men and women will present a check to the WWP and the local branch of the S.C. National Guard.

Edwards said the convoy expects to drive through Gaffney around 11 a.m. on Sept. 19, merging onto S.C. Highway 11 in Cherokee County on its way up to Chimney Rock.

Donations are being accepted at a special bank account at the Bank of York (S.C.), or send donations to Ride to the Rock at 1668 Wakefield Way, Rock Hill, S.C. 29730.

For more information on the motorcycle ride, call (803) 242-4451