Riding To Remember—

9/11 Tribute Brings Charity Motorcycle Ride Through Newtown

By Kendra Bobowick

The rumbling started at about noon last Sunday in Dodgingtown on Route 302 near Bethel.

As motorcycle riders added horn blasts and thundering straight pipes to the eighth annual September 11 memorial/charity CT United Ride, the pack entered Newtown and headed for Route 25 accompanied by police escorts. With a sound like a breaking storm, riders crowded the pavement and soon their streaming hair, leather, and many tattoos whipped beneath a flag suspended from opposite sides of the road by ladder trucks from the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company and Newtown Hook & Ladder Volunteer Fire Company.

Near Amaral Motors Inc and across from Chintz-N-Prints volunteers from the Newtown and Sandy Hook crews draped the flag over Main Street. Helping members who ran up one of two extension ladders to drop the stars and stripes were Mike Aurelia, Dan Gindraux, and Cameron Law, who used ropes to position the flag from the ground. Aspiring firefighter Ryan Tani looked up as the red, white, and blue snapped in the wind.

Winding its way through town as riders waved, whistled, and revved engines, residents and fire company members watched the passing flashes of chrome, handlebars, and decorative flags strapped to the backs of many bikes.

In less than 30 minutes the noise began to fade farther down Route 25 as the last rider passed firefighters from the Botsford Fire Rescue Company, and others from Stepney who lined up to wave as the hundreds of riders moved into Monroe. “We’re honoring 9/11,” said Botsford company Vice President Bill McAllister, who was among members in uniform as they completed a Fire I certification class over the weekend. He and others nodded an acknowledgement that the country is approaching its tenth anniversary of the terrorist attack and subsequent deaths at locations in New York City, and other sites in 2001.

With him at the curb were roughly 20 department members and supporters who stood before the garage beneath a blaring fire horn and raised their hands as Harleys, Yamahas, Hondas, and more rushed past. The group included Chief Wayne Ciaccia, who pumped a fist in the air as others raised a “thumbs up” gesture, and Mike Locorotondo, a Botsford firefighter and EMT, and Stepney-based firefighter Caty Schmaling simply waved and watched the procession.

According to CtUnitedRide.com, The CT United Ride is a motorcycle ride honoring those who lost their lives, those who gave their lives, and those who continue to put their lives on the line each day as a result of the tragedies occurring on 9’11. The CT United Ride is sponsored by the CT State Fire Fighters — the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association, UPFFA of CT. This event is the largest 9/11 tribute in the state. After the tragic events of 9-11-01, Frederick Garrity Jr and the Fairfield County Labor Council organized a motorcycle ride fundraiser for the initial victims of 9/11, which was held on September 30, 2001. That event attracted 500 riders. With the success and support of the first fundraising event, it was decided to continue “The CT United Ride” as a tribute event each year honoring the memories and continuing support of all affected.