The Background

Whenever I talk to people about my participation in the America's 9/11 Foundation, Inc.'s annual ride they are always surprised to find me traveling to it in August. I understand the confusion as one would automatically assume that a September 11th memorial ride would occur on or about September 11th every year. But when Ted and Lisa and Eric Sjurseth created the Foundation and the Ride one thing they did not want to do was interfere with the families of the victims and their memorials. So out of respect they determined the ride would occur each year on the third weekend in August.

They put together the first ride in November of 2001, with riders braving poor weather conditions to travel from Virginia to New York, with the goal of showing support and putting some money into the suddenly devastated local economy. From there they created the Foundation, obtained their 501(c)(3) status, and began an annual ride dedicated to the memory of the Police, Fire and EMS workers who lost their lives on that fateful day, as well as remembering all of the victims. From these humble beginnings they have grown to provide annual scholarships to children of active emergency service employees, assist agencies in times of disaster, and donate a police motorcycle each year.

But what truly amazes me is the untiring, never ending work that the Foundation does year-round and the results that come from their hard work. This ride is police escorted through six states and the District of Columbia. And by that I mean they shut down the roads, highways, interstates, the Holland Tunnel and even Time Square. I am certain there are some people I see stopped on the on-ramps who are not happy about being delayed. But I will guarantee you that they are in the minority. There are so many that are out of their vehicles waving at us, and I don't mean with a single finger salute. There are people who line the tops of overpasses with flags and signs, waving to every bike as they pass. Firetrucks are also found overhead with flags hoisted across their trucks or strung from raised ladders. And then there are those who access the roads before they are shut down just to park on the side, get out and hold flags and signs for us to see.

If all of that doesn't tug at your heartstrings enough then you should see what goes on in the towns that we pass through. There are some sites that I see every year, like the women along the road to Shanksville. One always has signs for us and can be seen waving from her porch, while the other walks across her pasture toward the road to wave as we all pass by. And then there's the multi-generational family sitting on their front lawn in Shanksville at seven o'clock in the morning. The town of Cumberland, Maryland has people lining the streets, out of their homes and businesses, many dressed in patriotic attire, all waving their hands or flags. And beautiful Leesburg, Virginia greets us at the city entrance with firetrucks flying flags over the roadway, which leads to the townspeople on their porches and sidewalks waving and holding flags as well. Of course the one that always chokes me up is the old man standing outside his house wearing his military ball cap, hand over his heart.

But seeing the people everywhere, in small blink-and-you-miss-them towns to small cities to New York's Manhattan, coming out to support the memories of the fallen is what keeps me coming back. To never forget what happened that September day in 2001. That there were people who ran into buildings as everyone else ran out, trying to do their job and help others, because that was what they swore to do, what they trained to do, what they felt compelled to do, just like every other police officer, firefighter and paramedic. They deserve to be remembered for fulfilling their duty with honor.

And this week as we embark on our ride to honor their memory ten years later we will do so in full force. It is not about us riding or doing anything noteworthy, we aren't. Most of those who participate in this ride are themselves emergency service or military personnel. The focus among us all is always on trying to honor those who gave all.

I have also been humbled and honored to become friends with many that I see on this ride year in and year out, and to have heard their own stories. Last year Richard stood at Ground Zero and recounted for us his experience of being in the World Trade Center Tower Two when it was struck. I have spoken with those who could see the smoke rise above the Manhattan skyline from their homes and work, as well as those who immediately mobilized and traveled to the World Trade Center site to assist their brothers and sisters in uniform, staying for days and weeks. I've met a National Guardsman who described to me the crash site and work he did in the field outside of Shanksville, and a man now retired from the Air Force who had been at work inside the Pentagon. I have seen through their eyes and felt their heartaches, and am grateful to know them and to call them my friends.

Today I arrived on the east coast thinking of what lies ahead. Tomorrow I pick up my rental bike and head west, to Somerset, Pennsylvania, knowing my heart will grow heavier the closer I get. But I look forward to seeing everyone again, sharing in the camaraderie of our career choices, and bonding once again to honor those who have gone before us.