FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Friends, family members, and about two hundred motorcyclists came together to remember their lost loved one, Staff Sergeant Irvin Ellingson. The homecoming set off seventy miles to Grand Forks.

“Well, the plane came in 15 minutes early from Minneapolis, and that set the tone. Irvin wanted to come back to North Dakota. And after 84 years, his family now will be waiting for him to come back, and it’s such a surreal feeling,” said Lon Enerson, Nephew of Staff Sergeant Irvin Ellingson and Power of Attorney.

Ellingson enlisted in the Army Air Force from North Dakota in December 1942. On April 13, 1945, Ellingson was aboard a B-29 Superfortress when it was shot down. Five crew members, including Ellingson, were taken prisoner at the Tokyo Military Prison. And in May of 1945, the prison was hit with air raids, killing all the prisoners. Ellingson was 25 years old.

“As soon as I was born, that legacy was passed down by Irvin’s parents, my grandparents, who prayed every day that their son would come home. And they lived till right below the age of 98 for my grandma. And her passion and her peripheralness and hopefulness was brought down to our generation,” said Enerson.

Now, 84 years later, friends, family, and the public come together to learn about the hero Ellingson was for his family and for his country.

“Lot of times and stuff we’re forgotten heroes and especially the men that didn’t come back. So to have to gone recognize him, find him, and bring him back to his family, and have closure for the family, it’s a great honor for us,” said Ron Mafnas, Chapter Commander for Grand Forks Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association.

Many of his family and friends say that his legacy will continue to live on.

Irvin’s family will be continuing their homecoming on Friday afternoon in Dahlen.