Ex-Marine Joe Alger has practically seen the entire state of Illinois these past two days.

"It's called "Illinois Has Not Forgotten'. All of the First Banks in Illinois have gotten together and they're taking donations. And we're going to send these donations to the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Alger and the rest of his Warriors' Watch Riders have made stops in Jerseyville, O'Fallon, Waterloo, Carbondale and Greenville. Their sixth and final stop was Saturday at the First Bank in Peoria on Sterling Avenue.

"I think everyone who works here has a family member or a friend or knows someone who has been in Iraq or Afghanistan," said Lisa Jones, the branch manager of the bank.

"It's really touched everyone. The community really pulled together to give us a lot of items to ship over to our soldiers."

Since 2003, Operation Support Our Troops has collected and distributed over 25,000 care packages to the troops. But this mission is also about honoring the fallen.

Painted on the side of the truck carrying the donations is the name of a Marine.

"The truck is in memory of Jonathan Collins, a soldier," said Alger. "He was a 19 year-old Marine who was killed in August of 2004. He went into the Marines right after he graduated high school."

"I was a Marine," said Rich Walkowiak, who is driving the truck this weekend, "and the gentleman whose name is on the trailer was a Marine. Anyone who was a Marine would understand that to be asked do this kind of a mission is an honor."

Matt Charlier has been motivated the memory of Sgt. Jason McLeod, a fallen soldier from a town not far from where he lives. Charlier is carrying McLeod's picture with him and he's been overwhelmed by people's generosity.

Everywhere we went, when they heard about our mission, they thanked us," said Charlier. "We couldn't buy dinner or lunch or breakfast when they found out what we were up to. There have been beautiful people where ever we go."

The donated gifts and supplieswill take about two weeks to arrive overseas. Just in time for Christmas.