Motorcycle Ride Honors Fallen Firefighters

Oct. 16, 2011
The roar of motorcycles filled the air on Saturday as the Red Helmet ride arrived at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial.
EMMITSBURG, MD -- The roar of motorcycles filled the air here Saturday as the Red Helmet ride arrived on campus.

2011 National Firefighters Memorial Coverage

They were greeted with applause, waves and thumbs up from hundreds of fallen firefighter survivors and others.

More than 325 motorcyclists participated in the ride to honor fallen firefighters.

"Every year, the riders come here this weekend to honor your loss of our brothers and sisters and to pay our respects and to show support to you, the families," said Tommy Baker, ride coordinator.

He encouraged people to remember their faces, their deeds and their words.

"Camaraderie in the firefighter family is unequalled in any other profession."

Baker concluded: "I would be remiss if I didn.t recognize the 10th anniversary of our 343 FDNY brothers we lost as well as the unknown number of others that have succumbed to health problems from the aftermath of that dreadful day."

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