| On Saturday, May 2, three members of the club rode to Emmitsburg, Maryland for the annual Red Helmet Ride.
The Red Helmet Ride takes place every spring during Firefighters Weekend at the National Memorial, honoring firefighters who lost their lives in the previous year.
Club President Down, Assistant Ride Captain Romi, and R. P. Scott made the trip, leaving around 8 a.m. They first stopped at Battlefield Harley before continuing to Walkersville, where the ride's lineup began. During the stretch from Gettysburg to Walkersville, R. P. Scott reached a milestone of 220,000 miles on his motorcycle.
The main ride started at around 2 p.m., first passing by the hotel where the families of fallen firefighters were staying. Families gathered along the entrance and greeted riders with applause and waves, creating a moving experience as riders recognized the significance of the event.
After leaving the hotel, the ride continued to the National Training Center, where the National Memorial is located. All arriving members were briefed by the head of security and given a brief tour of the facility, which included the 9/11 Memorial, Firefighters Memorial, and other areas of the campus.
The Red Knights’ ceremony at the Memorial took place in honor of the fallen. Families started to arrive as plans were made for an 8 p.m. candlelight service. Club members were able to interact with families, sharing meaningful stories about their loved ones.
This year’s event saw a smaller turnout than in previous years. Organizers believe this was due to a government shutdown and the last-minute decision to hold the event. Although there was a forecast for rain, the weather remained dry.
The foundation members, families, firefighters from across the country, Red Knights riders, and supporters all contributed to making the event possible. Thanks to last-minute efforts and cooperation with policymakers, the memorial was able to open on the federally owned grounds. All involved did an outstanding job ensuring that the event could go on as planned. |
