LA PINE – Passing a torch of fire, about 30 men, women and veterans of war choked back tears Sunday afternoon as they stood in a circle and praised the dead, and those who continue to fight for their country.

”This is for your men and women,” said Richard Montaner, 55. ”This is Oregon’s torch.”

Montaner is one of about 20 people from the Blue and Gold Banner Mothers of the American Legion in Modesto, Calif. They are traveling to every state in the country to conduct this ceremony of reverence both for the fallen and the living.

La Pine was their first stop.

”I’ve always wanted to come here,” Montaner said. ”It’s nice and small, just your local guys and girls.”

The group began their trip Sunday morning in California on their Harley-Davidson motorcycles and will go to American Legion posts in Idaho, Utah and Colorado next.

They don’t know how long it will take to reach a post in every state, but their last two visits will be in Hawaii and Alaska.

The Modesto group decided to embark on this trip after one of their own soldiers died.

Pfc. Oscar Sanchez, 19, from Modesto, was killed Dec. 29, 2004, while serving in Iraq with the Elite Stryker Brigade Combat Team from Ft. Lewis, Wash.

Cpl. Vicente Padilla, 21, is also fighting in Iraq.

They are cousins.

”They love what they’re doing,” said Vicente’s 40-year-old mother, Martha Padilla. ”My son wanted a challenge. He didn’t want to sit around and be a lazy bum.”

The ceremony honored these men, and others.

”To our brothers and sisters that are fallen or on active duty, may they never be forgotten,” one shouted, while passing the torch on to other men and women dressed in blue jeans, leather jackets and skull caps.

”Let us pray for them every day,” said another.

After the half-hour ceremony came to an end, the La Pine American Legion Post officials thanked Montaner and his group for choosing La Pine out of all the Oregon posts.

”They reminded us that we need to remember,” said Bill Martin, 57, with the La Pine post.

Larry White, 51, who is the sergeant of arms for the La Pine post and also served as a U.S. Marine for 24 years, agreed with Martin.

”The American Legion honors the deceased,” he said. ”And that’s what this is all about. The torch of life is just that.”