Annual Memorial Ride for William "Stretch" Smaltz |
| By President Frank Dowlin | |
| April 14, 2013 | |
| On Sunday April 14, 2013 members of the Red Knights Pa2 traveled to Smaltz's Harley Davidson on Route 100 in Exton, Pa. for the annual Memorial Ride for Stretch. William Smaltz known to everyone as Stretch was an Icon in the motorcycle community for many, many years. Stretch was the proud owner of Smaltz's Harley Davidson in Eagle, Pennsylvania. As owner he rode his Harley to dealership meetings all over the country. For 17 years he rode with more than 4,000 other motorcyclists in the annual Philadelphia Ride for Freedom he helped organize to support POWs and MIAs. In October 2006, he organized a ride to benefit the victims of the Amish schoolhouse shootings in Nickel Mines. Approximately $42,000 was raised, his family said. He was past president of the Eastern Harley-Davidson Dealer Association. On April 18, 2008 William "Stretch" Smaltz subsided to a long battle with cancer. Stretches family have organized this Memorial Ride every year since Stretch's passing. This years 40 mile ride ending at the Blue Commit Motorcycle Club in Skippack were a wonderfully spread of food was put out for all guest. At 2 and 3 o'clock small group made the short ride to Stretch's grave to pay their respects. The Red Knights would like to thank the Smaltz family for organizing this ride in Stretch's memory and in his word "Wow What A Ride". |
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