In response to the letter regarding the shorter 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride:
The 9/11 Memorial Ride is NOT just a "big motorcycle ride" and the participants are not just "burning gas to go for a cruise". The 9/11 Memorial Ride is not a ride just so the city can "claim it has a large bike run"! So the ride disrupts traffic for what? A half hour to 45 minutes? So sorry to inconvenience you.
This ride is well publicized in advance and people are made aware of which roads will be temporarily closed. So, all those with you, wouldn't it be a wise idea on your part to plan accordingly and leave a little early or take an alternative route to where you need to go?
Tank Baird and the 9/11 Memorial Coalition spend a great deal of time and energy organizing this ride and I do hope they continue to do so! The 9/11 Memorial Ride provides a group of proud Americans an opportunity to pay tribute to and honor those that sacrificed their lives during that horrific assault on the American people by terrorists. Do you not remember the disruption that was caused by terrorists on September 11th 2001? All the lives that were lost? All the lives that were changed forever?
I for one, am a proud American and am very grateful for Tank Baird and the 9/11 Memorial Coalition. I am proud to have the opportunity to participate in this annual ride and always look forward to the next one! I am pretty sure the 3,500 people that registered and participated in this year's ride will tell you the same thing! We will never forget!
And furthermore, there are a large number of motorcycle clubs within a 75 mile radius of the Williamsport area. These clubs organize and participate in many benefit rides throughout the year. Rides which benefit senior citizens, rides which benefit handicapped children and adults, rides which benefit families of fallen soldiers.
Clubs that gather and distribute Toys for Tots, clubs that raise money to build ramps for handicapped individuals, clubs that raise money to buy stuffed Teddy Bears for distribution at hospitals.
Brenda Wagner
South Williamsport
Submitted by Virtual Newsroom
