bsly
Well-Known Member
I've seen parades, done poker runs and ridden with lots of small groups of bikes, but yesterday was my first time participating in a Memorial Run.
Not only was it for a fabulous cause, but the simplest little experience made an impression that will last a lifetime and keep me coming back for more. let me elaborate a bit...
I attended the 9th Annual Fallen Officer Memorial Run in Youngstown Ohio honoring the police officers of our country that have sacrificed their lives trying to keep us and our families safe. The run was sponsored by the Blue Knights Ohio Chapter (A nationwide police officer motorcycle club for those who are not familiar). The proceeds benefited the Officer Mike Hartzell fund who was killed in the line of duty in Youngstown Ohio in 2003 during a traffic stop. The Run was a police escorted ride about 50 miles around Mahoning County and at least 13 police agencies coordinated to block intersections so that it was non-stop the entire ride. Several Fire Depts also participated and assisted. In one City they had a fire truck with the ladder over top the street with a banner and several fireman standing on the ladder waving the riders on. At the end of the Run they had downtown Youngstown blocked off and all the bikes converged, lining the streets. There was food, drinks, beer, and they had a live band playing.
Now let me back up to the beginning of the Memorial Run...
The bikes gathered for several hours at a staging point during which time we registered and were served free hot dogs, chips and bottled water. Prior to the Run beginning several figures spoke, bagpipes were performed, the National Anthem was sang and a prayer was given. All wonderful and memorable experiences. Everyone then returned to their bikes to prepare to depart.
And this is when that brief little experience of a lifetime occurred...
All at once hundreds upon hundreds of motorcycles in close proximity began roaring to life, many of them Harley Davidson's. And as we set there in line with all the bikes idling and revving for several minutes, the Earth was literally moving beneath me like a non stop barrage of distant thunder. It was truly a moment that tied the whole experience together. I felt so free and alive at that moment it really is hard to describe. From this day forward I will share that experience with others. I can't promise everyone will have the same feeling I had, but it's worth every minute for the cause!
There is a much larger New York City Memorial Run in August I would love to have attended, but my wife and I will be having our baby around then so we can't go. Maybe next year!
So if you've never had the experience of "motorcycles moving the earth"... I recommend you add it to your bucket list
Not only was it for a fabulous cause, but the simplest little experience made an impression that will last a lifetime and keep me coming back for more. let me elaborate a bit...
I attended the 9th Annual Fallen Officer Memorial Run in Youngstown Ohio honoring the police officers of our country that have sacrificed their lives trying to keep us and our families safe. The run was sponsored by the Blue Knights Ohio Chapter (A nationwide police officer motorcycle club for those who are not familiar). The proceeds benefited the Officer Mike Hartzell fund who was killed in the line of duty in Youngstown Ohio in 2003 during a traffic stop. The Run was a police escorted ride about 50 miles around Mahoning County and at least 13 police agencies coordinated to block intersections so that it was non-stop the entire ride. Several Fire Depts also participated and assisted. In one City they had a fire truck with the ladder over top the street with a banner and several fireman standing on the ladder waving the riders on. At the end of the Run they had downtown Youngstown blocked off and all the bikes converged, lining the streets. There was food, drinks, beer, and they had a live band playing.
Now let me back up to the beginning of the Memorial Run...
The bikes gathered for several hours at a staging point during which time we registered and were served free hot dogs, chips and bottled water. Prior to the Run beginning several figures spoke, bagpipes were performed, the National Anthem was sang and a prayer was given. All wonderful and memorable experiences. Everyone then returned to their bikes to prepare to depart.
And this is when that brief little experience of a lifetime occurred...
All at once hundreds upon hundreds of motorcycles in close proximity began roaring to life, many of them Harley Davidson's. And as we set there in line with all the bikes idling and revving for several minutes, the Earth was literally moving beneath me like a non stop barrage of distant thunder. It was truly a moment that tied the whole experience together. I felt so free and alive at that moment it really is hard to describe. From this day forward I will share that experience with others. I can't promise everyone will have the same feeling I had, but it's worth every minute for the cause!
There is a much larger New York City Memorial Run in August I would love to have attended, but my wife and I will be having our baby around then so we can't go. Maybe next year!
So if you've never had the experience of "motorcycles moving the earth"... I recommend you add it to your bucket list
