As they have since the first September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the 9/11 Memorial Coalition will hold its annual motorcycle ride to commemorate and remember the awful events of that sad day in 2001.
“It’s hard to believe that it has been 25 years since the attack on the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and Flight 93,” “Tank” Baird, one of the founders of the Memorial Ride, told Webb Weekly. “In addition to 9/11 itself, we will also be marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of this nation. The number of people participating and viewing the ride seems to go up each year, and with the 25th anniversary happening this year, the numbers should be even larger. It’s kind of a two-part observance.”
Baird believes that it is important that the 9/11 Ride should take place on the actual date.
“Some of the rides take place on the weekend closest to 9/11, but we at the coalition believe that it is worth the sacrifice to miss some work to hold it on the actual date. That does not diminish any of the rides that are held on weekends, but we believe it is appropriate to hold it on the actual date,” Baird said.
The most notable new feature of this year’s ride, particularly for spectators, is the availability of Susquehanna Trailways buses to transport people from Montgomery Park to the site of the Memorial service and the starting and ending point for the ride at the Clinton Township Volunteer Fire Company along Route 54.
Baird said that parking was becoming a problem at the fire company for all those who wished to park there as part of the activities and that having shuttle buses will help to alleviate that problem. These buses will be running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
On a related note, there will be some bleachers available, but spectators are urged to bring lawn chairs if they wish for viewing.
The guest speaker for the 9/11 Memorial Service will be retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major and security executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience in military operations, recruiting, retention, personnel management, and organizational leadership, and Montoursville native, Louis Johnson.
The Memorial Service begins at 5 p.m. at the Clinton Township Fire Company, and the ride begins at 6 p.m.
The musical entertainment is headlined by accomplished musician and recording artist Dillon Dixon and his band, “The Very Few.”
Baird said Dixon and his band do most of their work in Nashville and have attained a good reputation for their work.
“Dillon has ridden several times in our Ride, and he and some of this band members will be riding in this Ride as well, helping to provide entertainment before and after the Ride,” stated Baird.
There will be other entertainment as well, and there will be a fun, patriotic fireworks display at 9 p.m. presented by Bixler Pyrotechnics.
As with previous rides, a bit of Father John Manno will be part of the ride. His motorcycle, “Fred,” will participate by being atop a trailer during the event.
According to Baird, the “spirit of Father Manno will always be with this event, and it seems appropriate to have his motorcycle epitomize that spirit.”
The 9/11 Memorial Ride has grown into one of the largest annual 9/11 memorial motorcycle rides in the United States. Thousands of motorcycles travel more than 42 miles through Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, while tens of thousands of spectators gather along the route to wave flags, cheer the riders, and pay tribute to those who sacrificed everything. What began as a local act of remembrance has become a nationally recognized “rolling memorial” that continues to inspire communities across the country.
