The crowd cheers as hundreds of motorcyclists take part in America’s 9/11 Ride as they pass through Hightstown, NJ, August 16, 2014. Beverly Schaefer
Weeks before the anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks, hundreds of bikers from around the country rode to New York City to make sure no one forgets.
More than 700 motorcyclists rode through Manhattan Sunday on a mission to honor the lives of victims, CBS 2’s Don Champion reported.
“It’s a very emotional ride,” said Roger Flick, with America’s 9/11 Foundation.
The final leg of the group’s journey took them from their hotel in Midtown to the September 11 memorial site in Lower Manhattan.
“We do this so that — we want people to remember the horrible thing that happened to our country,” Flick said.
The ride started on Friday in Shanksville, Penn. at the Flight 93 National Memorial. Riders then made their way to the Pentagon before heading to Manhattan.
In recent years, each rider carries with them a card detailing the story of a 9/11 victim, Champion reported.
“Everybody who rode today carried somebody with them as an angel or just somebody from the attacks to be remembered,” said Richard Senior.
Once at the memorial, riders held a moment of silence, then visited the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
“It’s sometimes difficult to come back to the place where there was so much loss and destruction, but every year it’s like another moment of closure,” said 9/11 attack survivor Richard Pinnavaia.
Other survivors and family members of victims also take part in the ride each year, Champion reported. The foundation also raises money for college scholarships.
“It’s very emotional,” said Flick. “I do it with a knot in my throat every year when you think about why we’re doing it.”
Since the ride and foundation began, more than $270,000 in scholarships have been given to the children of first responders.
