By Billy “Kneecap” Braddock

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The 19th Annual Bruce Rossmeyer’s Ride for Children with almost 1000 motorcycles took off with a roar from Destination Daytona on Sunday, October 6, 2013 at 10 AM and headed with a police escort to Camp Boggy Creek in Eustis.

The Camp is a year-round medical camp for children with serious illnesses, co-founded by actor Paul Newman and General H. Norman Schwarzkopf in 1996. Bruce Rossmeyer’s Daytona Harley-Davidson has supported the camp since it opened and after Bruce’s death in 2009 his wife (Sandy) and children (Shelly, Mandy, Wendy, Randy and Will) stepped up and kept it going. The run has had many Grand Marshals including James Gandolfini, who sadly died this year. This year’s Grand Marshal, actor-director Steve Buscemi, led the procession, along with Jody Perewitz (Dave Perewitz’s daughter) the first woman to break the land speed record of 208mph on a 100ci V-twin.

After arriving at the camp the bikers were greeted by the smiling faces of the children and camp volunteers. They enjoyed auctions, music and a great buffet lunch donated by Outback Steakhouse. The MC for the ceremonies was Frank Scott of WHOG 95.7 radio who has been the MC for this event for the last 18 years. Because of all the efforts of the volunteers, the donors, and the generous bikers, this year’s funds surpassed the $5 million mark donated over the course of its 19 year lifespan.