Firefighters on Motorcycles Honor 9/11 Victims

On September 11, 2001, I dropped off a passport application at the US Post Office and went to work.  Everyone was watching the news, stunned at the spectacle that had taken place.  The chaos was already happening.  My family had been planning a trip to Spain with baby in arms.   Needless to say, that trip didn't take place.  Co-workers who were in the air at the time were abruptly deposited at, of all places, Las Vegas.  After many hours of waiting to see when the planes would again be permitted to fly, they made a one-way rental on a car and drove back to Los Angeles.  Echoes of Armageddon.  Disbelief.

Remember 9/11: The Ride, a memorial to the victims of the 9/11 tragedy, has been organized since 2003 by Belmont Heights resident and Long Beach Fireman Gary Biggerstaff .  Gary is a fire engineer in the Long Beach Fire Department (Station 16), and expressed his appreciation for the support of the over 200 riders who participated in memory and honor of their fallen friends.

The ride route began at Cook's Corner in Trabuco Canyon and ended at The Gaslamp Restaurant in Long Beach.  I caught up with the riders after their arrival at the Gaslamp.

I met riders from New York, Seattle, Boyle Heights, Santa Ana and Long Beach.  These were just a small sampling of those present.  Several were fire fighters, but there were also NAVY seals, veterans, police officers and just regular citizens.

All came together to pay tribute to those who were victims of the 9/11 tragedy. 

And now, a moment of silence for our fallen friends.