James Royster has used his love for riding his motorcycle to help others in a time of grief.

Royster has been riding in funeral processions of fallen veterans and law enforcement officers since 2009 with the Patriot Guard Riders.

“We stand the flag line,” said Royster, a Morgan County resident. “It gives the families belief that somebody is there for the family of the fallen one.”

Riding along with Royster has been Lil Bear, a small teddy bear that has been sitting on the back of his Harley-Davidson since 2011.

Tuesday Royster lost Lil Bear while riding on Washington Street down Highway 81 near the Dollar General.

Royster is asking that anyone who has seen the bear, which wears a motorcycle helmet with stickers such as #ScootinAmerica on it, and a vest with various pins and shields, to return it.

Lil Bear has had his photograph taken with hundreds of children during Patriot Guard rides, and wears pins sent by law enforcement agencies throughout the nation.

“We got a lot of miles together,” said Royster about Lil Bear on his Facebook page. “It’s not the same without him on the back.”

Royster can be reached at 706-457-7528.