Saturday was a special day for Marie Bartos.

Not only did she celebrate her wedding anniversary, but also she honored her late husband by organizing a Ride for a Voice motorcycle ride at Becky's Drive-In, Lehigh Township.

Her husband, former Northampton Borough Police Officer and U.S. Marine Stephen Milkovits, took his life Oct. 12, 2003.

Bartos said she organized the event to help alleviate and eliminate the negative stereotypes.

"There's a huge stigma attached to the word 'suicide,'" she said. "We're trying to erase that stigma, educate the public, raise awareness about mental health issues and suicide prevention, and let them know it's OK to talk about it and get help when needed. It is not a weakness."

The event was also held to allow Oct. 12 – the 10th anniversary of her husband's death – to take on a more positive note.

"I wanted to do something special to commemorate this anniversary and to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention," she said.

Lou Michaud drove from Charleston, S.C., to participate in the event. He and Stephen served in the Marine Corps together from 1981 to 1985. Although it had been many years since he last saw Stephen or Marie, he said he needed to come back to pay his respects.

"Steve was a good friend of mine," Michaud said. "I felt it was the proper time to come back and help support the whole cause."

Bartos said the idea for the ride surfaced about a year ago and planning took about nine months.

Saturday's event, she said, was cathartic for her.

"Everything I do with AFSP [American Foundation for Suicide Prevention] helps me heal a little more each day," she said. "Today marked the 22nd anniversary of my wedding to Steve. It was a very emotional day, but a good day."

Bartos said if her husband – who she said was a humble man – was still alive, he would be surprised and in awe to see the turnout, support and love offered.

"I think he would have been emotionally overwhelmed and would have cried many tears of joy to realize how wrong he was about his feelings and his perception of how others felt about him," she said.

Those participating in Saturday's ride included the Northampton Borough police and fire departments, police departments from Lehigh Township, Coplay and Allentown and the Blue Ridge Fire Department.

Also riding were the Blue Knights, Red Knights and American Legion Riders Post 739.

Bartos said the financial goal of the event was to raise $2,000. She is currently tabulating monies raised.

"I'm pretty sure our goal was met," she said. "All proceeds benefit AFSP."

The Veterans Administration assisted with Saturday's event.