Brotherhood Ride Honors 9/11 First Responders

By Cristin Wilson

September 15, 2011 - 12:00am

Brotherhood Ride honors 9/11 first responders, visits Southside
Firefighter Nick Ford chose to leave his family in Naples for three weeks to hit the road on a bicycle as part of a 1,600-mile journey to honor fallen heroes of Sept. 11, 2001.

When the fourth annual Brotherhood Ride stopped in Jacksonville last month, Ford caught his breath and easily explained why he and other firefighters, law enforcement officers and emergency medical technicians signed on.

"What we're going through over these 22 days is really small compared to the families of those 411 killed that day. They gave everything. We just gave a little," said Ford.


The ride is dedicated to the 411 first responders who lost their lives 10 years ago during the terrorist attack on New York City. Brotherhood Ride founder Jeff Morse, who dedicated the first three rides to other firefighters and police who died in the line of duty across the country, wanted to make sure the legacy of those who lost their lives wouldn't be forgotten. It was important to do something more than just write a check, he said.

"I wanted some way to show the families we'd never forget," said Morse.

The 2011 ride began in North Naples on Aug. 20 and ended at ground zero in New York City on Saturday, with riders meeting with local firefighters and police along the way. Proceeds from fundraisers in the Naples-Fort Myers area will go to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and Concerns of Police Survivors.

When the 39 riders got to Jacksonville Aug. 24, they and their support staff stopped at the Southside Elks Lodge for a welcome ceremony, dinner, overnight lodging and breakfast the next morning.

Firefighter Scott Wilson, also of Naples, didn't even have a bike when he decided to be a part of the ride. But he said he did not view his participation as much of a stretch, considering he is used to braving high temperatures - and with a lot more clothes on than the typical cycling gear.

Being part of the ride, he said, "is a big honor."

Wilson said the public response along the route was touching, with communities rallying around them. At one of their stops, a woman did all of their laundry, even folding their clothes, he said.

Firefighter Todd Neal, who works for the Broward County Sheriff's Office Fire Rescue, agreed.

"The response we've got, it's just been amazing," he said.

Dick Maloney, public relations chairman for the Southside Elks, said the visit was the second the club has hosted for the Brotherhood Ride. The club provided pasta dinners - with homemade "red gravy" - sleeping accommodations and sendoff breakfast, while Jacksonville firefighters provided onsite shower facilities, he said.

The Elks were just as touched by the experience as the riders.

"The emotions were unbelievable. As the bicycle riders approached our lodge, after a complete day's ride, with motorcycle police escort, not to mention our firefighters' participation, the crowd's applause was heartbreaking. Their support staff was genuinely surprised with the reception," Maloney said.

The ride coordinator told Maloney that the club's preparation "greatly exemplifies the importance of 9/11, and displays in full, the great generosity of the Elks organization," he said.

For more information, go to brotherhoodride.com.

Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/community/southside/2011-09-15/story/brotherhood-ride-honors-911-first-responders-visits-southside#ixzz1Y4t8P4hQ