CUMBERLAND — The roar of motorcycles filled the air Friday morning as riders in the 24th annual America’s 9/11 Ride began their journey to the Pentagon and Ground Zero in New York.
The ride began early Friday at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where a terrorist-hijacked plane crashed into a field during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The 270 motorcyclists and 80 law enforcement officers passed through Cumberland on their way to a rest stop at Rocky Gap State Park.
Roger Flick of Damascus, an executive board member for America’s 911 Foundation, said preserving the fading memories and remembering the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, is the group’s ultimate goal.
“The second year of the ride was the first time I went,” Flick said. “We have a lot of patriots and first responders that we need to remember.”
After going on the ride with his son in 2002, Flick never looked back. “It’s a bucket list ride,” he said.
As the times have changes in the last 24 years, Flick said that remembering what happened on that fateful day is more crucial now than ever before. The attacks at the Pentagon, Twin Towers and Shanksville killed nearly 3,000 people.
“It’s very emotional,” Flick said. “Unfortunately, a lot of people have forgotten over the years.”
Flick said that during the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, almost 1,800 motorcycles participated in the ride. While support is slowly declining, Flick hopes that rider attendance will increase as the 25th anniversary approaches.
Jene Arbogaste was at Rocky Gap Friday morning to see his cousin, who took part in the ride for the first time this year. He has noticed smaller support for the “never forget” slogan over the years.
“Everyone who supports these programs are aging out,” Arbogaste said.
The best solution, Arbogaste and Flick agreed, is younger people joining the cause.
According to Flick, people from all over the country typically join the ride, even members of law enforcement.
“We’ve had police officers from Canada and El Paso, Texas, come and join us,” he said. “It’s truly an international ride.”
Not only does the ride promote the message of 9/11, but it also raises money for the foundation’s scholarship program.
The funds raised go to support the education of 15 children of first responders or first responders themselves each year. Eligibility is nationwide and scholarships provide around $2,000 per person.
This year, the foundation raised extra money so that 18 scholarships were awarded. Additionally, according to Flick, a motorcycle will be awarded to an eligible police department.
To learn more about America’s 911 Foundation and to support its cause and first responders, visit americas911ride.org