By Lulu

For 17 years, Joe Vece and his organizations have put on a memorial service to honor those who lost their lives and continue to have health issues from the deadly terror attack on our country on 9/11/2001. I am concerned each year as we head to Flagler County for the ride that no one will show up…so many years have passed. But this year, as with every previous year, I was amazed at the community of bikers, residents and dignitaries that attended. The Red Knights first started this memorial ride 17 years ago, now Joe’s club, Knights of Inferno, along with the Punishers MC, Flagler County, Monster Motorcycles, Politis & Matovina, PA and Tropical Enterprises make this yearly memorial happen. Hundreds of riders watched the service and quietly prayed for our country, then got on their bikes and took the ride through Flagler and Volusia County to end with a great lunch provided by 1405 Saloon in Bunnell. I was pleased so many young riders were with us, many who didn’t look old enough to have been born when this tragic event occurred.

On 9/11 2001, 2996 individuals’ lives stopped! 1000s more were injured. And everyone in our country was horrified and in mourning. Only 20 survived the World Trade Center collapse. On Flight 11 ninety-two perished which crashed into the North Tower, Flight 175, fifty-one perished when it hit the South Tower and on the World Trade Center Property 2600 perished, some jumping to their deaths. On Flight 77 and in the Pentagon 189 perished. In a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, heroes on Flight 93 kept the terrorists from crashing into another site and all 44 perished. The youngest victims were two 3 years old on Flight 175. 10 were pregnant women and their unborn. 343 were New York City Fire Fighters and 71 were law enforcement officers. Since 2001 10,000 cancers in first responders have been attributed to the 9/11 event. 2,000 more have died from the exposure.

If you haven’t ridden out to Bunnell for one of the 9/11 Memorial Rides you really should make a point to, it makes you feel good about America. NEVER FORGET!!