The hijacked planes and subsequent crashes on the Twin Towers in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and in the countryside outside of Shanksville, PA, on September 11, 2001, ranks as one of the worst days in American history. It had the shock effect of Pearl Harbor and the Kennedy assassination, and just like those events, there were significant consequences. However, as the years went by, these events that were almost unbearable at the time eventually became memories and then became history.
However, there is a group of patriotic citizens in Lycoming County who are determined not to let us forget the horriffic suicidal attacks committed on September 11, 2001, by 19 militants associated with the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda, who committed the deadliest terrorist attacks on American soil in U.S. history. These particular patriots are doing it in a good, old American way — they ride on motorcycles with an American flag on that same day, September 11th.
For twenty-three years now, this remembrance event has brought thousands of motorcyclists together to make a 42-mile ride through 14 communities in Lycoming County. Thousands of bystanders stand for hours watching the riders go by; many of these were not even born before 2001. And in their curiosity about this event, they would be reminded that America can be attacked if it is not prepared, and that preparation falls on all of us.
The Ride is an incredible annual event that has its own heritage. One of the ‘fathers’ of the Ride was a real father, Catholic priest John Manno. The man was a legend, and anyone who knew him loved him. I had the privilege of working side by side with Father Manno for several years as partners in the Heroin Task Force for faith-based organizations. His community involvement was also shown in his dedication to the Williamsport Fire Dept. and his impact on the 9-11 Memorial Coalition.
Tom “Tank” Baird, one of the original organizers of the 9-11 Coalition Motorcycle Ride, remembers that very first Ride, just four days after the attack. “We had no advertising with the exception of some phone calls and, frankly, little time to plan the first Ride. But Father Manno had the pulse of the local biker community and supported the effort.”
In fact, Father Manno hopped on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, which he named “Fred,” and rode with the others. Since Manno’s death on May 30, 2019, his motorcycle “Fred” is featured on a trailer in the Ride, symbolizing that Father Manno is still with us in spirit.
There have been those who have tried to ‘expand’ the Ride itself. The 9-11 Memorial Coalition Board of Directors are locked solid in maintaining the purpose and the heritage of the Ride. It is exclusively for freedom-loving, patriotic motorcyclists on their motorcycles. It is not for jeeps a-beeping, floats a-glowing, bands a-playing, or dignitaries a-waving. It is and always will be a motorcycle ride.
Why just motorcycles? Because they were what began in September of 2001, and that is what is being remembered. It is also the only such event in the United States that has consistently been held exactly on the day itself, September 11th. There are other such rides all over the United States, but these are held on weekends. The Lycoming County 9-11 Memorial Ride is unique and will stay that way. It is historic itself, and history should not change over time.
The Ride is free, but donations are appreciated. Those who wish to ride can begin to line up at 10:00 a.m. at the Clinton Township Volunteer Fire Company on Route 54, with the Memorial Service starting at 5 p.m. and the Ride itself begins at 6 p.m. Pedestrians are certainly welcome to walk around as the riders line up as just seeing these up close is itself a treat. There are also a number of vendors selling various patriotic items and food and drinks.
The service at 5 p.m. is worth attending just for itself. This year’s guest speaker is combat veteran Jake Norotsky, who works with the Wounded Warrior Project. After the solemn formalities, Father Manno had traditionally announced the beginning of the Ride with the words, “Let’s roll.” He was echoing Todd Beamer’s last words on Flight 93 as he and other men sacrificed their lives to stop the terrorists before the plane crashed at its destination in Washington DC, possibly the White House itself. Thus, to this day, the Ride officially begins with the words, “Let’s roll.”
In the midst of death and destruction on that horrible day, there were also heroes who should not be forgotten, some even right here in our community. Past events shaped our society and values. And someone has wisely said, “Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it.”
So, let’s roll!
