It has been 23 years since the infamous and cowardly terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. No one who was alive in those times will ever forget it. A whole new generation has been born since this tragic day. Even as the smoke was still rising from the rubble of the attacks, folks locally were showing their defiance of the attacks and attempting to memorialize the victims of the attacks. These folks would become the 9-11 Memorial Ride Coalition.
On Wednesday, September 11, thousands of motorcycles and their riders will be riding again to commemorate and remember September 11, 2001. The 42-mile ride route is escorted by the Lycoming County Sheriff’s Department, and traffic control along the entire route is provided by Lycoming County fire and police.
The importance of the 9/11 Memorial Ride is to honor those who lost their lives but also to remind our country that we can never take our liberty and freedom for granted. The roar of thousands of motorcycles is a symbol of strength. The slogan the ride uses, “Let’s Roll” was inspired by Todd Beamer’s last words to the other passengers who made the decision to do all they could to prevent their hijacked plane from crashing into the White House or Capitol Building that it was headed for. The last words heard that day on United Flight 93 were, “Are you guys ready? OK. Let’s roll.”
The first ride was held four days after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Tank Baird and Don Miller are the Founders. That first ride was organized in about 24 hours, including a police escort. There were about 85 bikes. Father John Manno led everyone in prayer at the event and became an advocate. This Ride may hold the honor of being the first in the Nation to hold an organized motorcycle event for the attack, and certainly, they have the longest running at 23 years.
“We do this ride because we don’t want people to forget the sacrifices and the terrible toll of 9-11,” Tom “Tank” Baird, one of the founders of the Ride and a member of the 9-11 Coalition, told Webb Weekly. “We believe the event is a great way to commemorate those who were lost and a way to channel our grief and anger about that loss.”
New 911-Coalition Committee Board Member board member and PA State Representative Joe Hamm states, “It is important that we remember and honor the victims, first responders, and military men and women who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Holding this local memorial ride every year will ensure our brave heroes will never be forgotten.”
“The interest in this ride seems to grow,” Baird said. “We seem to get more and more bikers each year, and the number of people standing along the curbs along the route is growing as well. I think that many people who watch the ride regard it as a good way to show their patriotism. We see a lot of flags being waved along the route. The ride has become sort of a tradition. This is everyone’s event. It is for the spectators as well as for the riders.”
According to Baird, the ride participants are moved and gratified by the overwhelming turnout of people viewing the ride and showing their support. In addition, he said several churches ring bells as the riders pass by, giving the event both a solemn and perhaps a celebratory quality. These churches choose to remember and show recognition and gratitude for what the ride is trying to demonstrate.
Baird said crowds have been estimated at 20,000 or greater on the route. They have had international visitors and riders from across the country. “This is a ‘rolling memorial,’ and we welcome everyone to participate either by going with us on the motorcycle ride or supporting us curbside.”
Unfortunately, the 9-11 Coalition ran into a major financial snag while putting together this year’s ride. The money needed to help put on the Ride is raised by selling T-shirts and other related merchandise. The vendor that they contracted with, a local vendor, did not produce the shirts. The Coalition paid for the shirts upfront, and a signed contract for delivery was agreed upon on a certain date. That vendor failed to meet their obligation, leaving the Coalition to hold a sizeable financial bag.
As a result, another vendor to produce the shirts needed to be found quickly. The Coalition is reluctantly asking for help in raising funds to make up for the shortfall caused by the vendor’s failure to produce the contracted goods.
If you wish to donate, you can do so through http://www.911memorialcoalition.org/donations, donate through PayPal, or send a check payable to the 9-11 Coalition, P.O. Box 384, Montoursville, PA. 17754.
The gates open at 10 a.m., and there will be Food and vendors all day. The bikes will be blessed throughout the day. There will be a Memorial Service at 5:00 p.m., and the Ride will begin at 6:00 p.m.
The location is the Clinton Township Fire Department, Route 54, Montgomery, PA 17752; the ride begins and ends there.
