An annual motorcycle ride held to commemorate the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, will not only pay homage to those killed during the attacks, but also three local residents killed in the line of duty to their country and community more recently, said organizer Thomas "Tank" Baird.
A place of honor will be reserved for Marine Lance Cpl. Abe Howard, Trout Run Volunteer Fire Co. fireman Richard Springman and DEA Agent Chad Michael in Saturday's ninth annual 9-11 Memorial Ride, a 37-mile motorcycle ride that will begin and end Saturday at the Clinton Township Fire Hall along Route 54, Montgomery.
The family of Howard, who died in July in Afghanistan, will ride in Marine Humvees, Baird said.
The Trout Run Volunteer Fire Co. will send a vehicle to honor Springman, who died in an automobile accident while driving to the scene of an emergency.
Baird said he is awaiting word from the family of DEA Agent Chad Michael, who died from injuries sustained in a helicopter accident in Afghanistan, as to whether they will attend the event.
Gates open at 10 a.m. at the fire company grounds, where thousands of bikers are expected, according to Baird. There will be a memorial service at 3 p.m. and the ride will begin at 4 p.m., according to Baird. A celebration including food vendors, live music and a fireworks display, will follow the ride, he said.
The event is sponsored
by the 9-11 Memorial Coalition, a coalition of motorcycle clubs, clergy, community service organizations and individuals, Baird said.
"As patriots, as concerned Americans, the observance of this day and the events that happened nine years ago are important," Baird said. "Not remembering this day is a disservice. It was a terrible day in American history and it ties into the theme that there still is a war on terror. It's not just for the past, it's also a show of support for what's going on right now."
Baird said the ride, which he called "the heart and soul" of the event, is open primarily to motorcyclists, but the rest of the event, including the pre-ride memorial service and post-ride celebration, is open to everyone.
"This parade is for motorcycles except select military and police vehicles," he said. "However, the public is invited to the memorial service and events after the ride."
"We are inviting everyone. This has moved beyond just being a motorcycle event," he said.
Parking will be available for non-motorcyclists at the Montgomery football field, he said.
Baird said the event will be held "rain or shine." If good riding weather prevails, 3,000 or more riders could attend the event, he said.
"We are getting the feeling this is going to be a pretty big event," Baird said.
A parade of thousands of motorcycles is "a truly awe inspiring spectacle," he said, adding that the event also is emotional for the riders because of the show of support they receive along the parade route.
"What makes the ride unique and powerful is when you see people standing three or four deep on city streets waving flags," Baird said. "I've been really impressed and honored that people in this region support this the way they do."
Baird said that in past rides, churches rang their bells as the parade passed by.
"It's hard to keep a dry eye when this massive group of riders come by churches ringing their bells and people cheering," he said. "It is emotional for the riders because of the support they see along the way. There is a celebratory attitude."
Baird said that celebratory attitude in the face of tragedy is what makes America a great nation.
Registration is required. Baird said he hopes participants will arrive early to register so as to not interrupt the memorial service.
The initial ride, held only days after the attacks, had about 80 participants, Baird said.
"It was a simple affair - basically a demonstration of support for our country," Baird said. "We were all pretty much in shock at that point and we were definitely angry."
The group, organized primarily through word of mouth, met on a Saturday in the parking lot across from the Federal Building in Williamsport. Baird said he promised the group would meet there every year thereafter, but that was a promise he could not keep.
The event quickly outgrew the parking lot and was moved to Memorial Park in the city. That site, too, was outgrown, so the Clinton Township Fire Co. fire hall was chosen as this year's site, he said.
Baird said the facility has room for up to 5,000 motorcycles.
He praised the many volunteers, police and fire companies who make the event a success year after year.
"It's unbelievable the amount of work it takes for this event," he said. "We roll for 37 miles and never stop. It's a 37-mile parade and it takes a lot of coordination to get the job done."
