Military & Motorcycles August 10, 2012

Published on August 10, 2012 under Born To Ride

911 Motorcycle Rides

On a clear blue Tuesday morning at approximately 8:46 a.m. on September 11th, 2001 terror struck our shores.

Some three thousand people perished between the hours 8:46 and 10:03 a.m. that fateful day at the hands of what we now term as ‘terrorists.’

That is not exactly what I call them but this is however a family newspaper and I’m sure my pastor would not want to hear how I sometimes refer to those who were involved.

Since 9-11, 2001 numerous others have died to complications from cancer and other related problems from the dust, debris, etc. from the towers and the Pentagon collapsing.

We are fast approaching the 11th anniversary since the 9/11 tragedy and as usual the local motorcycle community will participate in a ‘Remembrance Ride’ on that day for those who died in the Towers, the Pentagon and in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

The ride this year will be in two parts:

Part One – Participants (riders) will meet at the City of Palmetto’s Sutton Park at 9 a.m. for a 9:30 a.m. Manatee County Heroes’ Memorial Service. Then at approximately 10-10:30 a.m. we will ride as a group, under the “Rules of the road” (non-escorted) south on US-301 to ride past the 9/11 Memorials at Southern Manatee Fire HQ (2451 Trailmate Drive, Sarasota) and Sarasota City Police Department Headquarters (Payne Park) proceeding to the new ‘Salt of the Earth, USA 9/11 World Trade Center Memorial at Patriot’s Park on US-41 Venice where an I-Beam from Tower One is being utilized for the center piece of the memorial.

Part Two – Will be the 6th annual Manatee County 9/11 Remembrance Ride. All riders will meet at 5:30 p.m. at Lockwood Ridge Road and University Parkway (old Albertson’s store located at 8415 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota) with KSU (kick stands up) at 6:30 p.m.

The route for the 9/11 ‘Free-Dom’ Ride will be as follows; North on Lockwood Ridge Road to Honore Avenue to 63rd Avenue. Head west to US 301 then proceed north to the Manatee Memorial Hospital exit at the base of the bridge. Turn right to the River Front “Heroes” Memorial and/or Tarpon Pointe Grill (801 Riverside Dr. E, Bradenton) for a memorial service along the Manatee River.

Again the difference in this ride versus years past will be the fact it will be an unescorted ride, Rules of the road will apply. This is being done due the cost of the escort, insurance, etc. Both rides are FREE, open to all “motorcycles” rain or shine.

Should you have any questions please contact one of the following;

For AM Ride go to www.blueknightsflxviii.com

For PM Ride go to www.911remembranceride.com

If you would like to contact me please do so at PGRTerry@gmail.com and remember “It’s not about the war, it’s about the warriors.” God Bless America and those who serve in uniform.

Terry Longpre