Wounded Vets To Benefit
From Efforts of Bergen Residents
- PostEagle
- July 16, 2014
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NEW JERSEY – Close to 300 motorcyclists descended on Bergen County for the first Warriors Run motorcycle rally to raise funds for wounded military veterans.
In photo: Police motorcycle squads from Fort Lee, Bergenfield and Teaneck lead the inaugural Warriors Run down River Road in New Milford on the way to a ride through Bergen County. The rally raised funds for the Wounded Warrior Project, Special Operations Warrior Foundation and the USO.The ride started in New Milford and made its way through Teaneck, River Edge, Paramus, Fair Lawn, Oakland, Ramsey, Mahwah and then south o Rt. 17 back to the starting point behind New Milford High school for a big after party. Photo by Brett Dzadik
The run was escorted by police motorcycle squads who donated their time, from Fort Lee, Teaneck and Bergenfield providing a safe rally as the long line of motorcycles snaked through town after town and across several highways.
“Since this was our first effort at running a motorcycle rally we had no idea how many participants we would have,” commented a spokesman for Warriors Run. “We hoped for perhaps 100 motorcycles and were ecstatic when more than 250 showed up.”
In photo: Motorcycle officers from Ft. Lee, Bergenfield and Teaneck
County Executive Kathleen Donovan and County Clerk John Hogan spoke briefly and praised the effort to help those who served and gave so much. Donovan presented Warriors Run with a Certificate of Commendation Honoring Warriors Run on the event of the inaugural event.
Each rider paid $25 to participate while passengers contributed $15. Walk-ins paid $10. Riders were given commemorative “Warriors Run 2014” tee shirts while many others purchased them.
As the run began the motorcyclists passed under a New Milford Fire Department ladder truck with a large American flag handing over River Road, lending a dramatic start to the event.
The police motorcycle squad led the way onto the road followed by Chai Riders Motorcycle Club, Bergen HOGS, Blue Knights, Dumont Elks MC, all of which had substantial riders. They were followed by more than 200 individuals participating in the run.
There were perhaps some 30 or more volunteers ranging from Boy and Girl Scouts to people who were simply interested in helping a worthwhile cause.
Music was provided by Johnnie and the Alimonies; actress Lee Meredith, a River Edge resident, autographed pictures and collected added funds for the cause. Author Jim Devine of Dumont signed copies of his book. Photographer Mike Hamlett photographed the ride and Box 54 of the Teaneck Fire Department provided coffee and rolls to keep the riders in shape.
All participants were treated to food and soft drinks after the run provided by a number of area merchants.
The main recipients of the rally will be the Wounded Warrior Project, Special Operations Warrior Foundation and the USO. Other donations may be made at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
The committee is already planning for next year’s Warriors Run 2015 and is estimating that there will be more than 500 participants. A new and exciting route is being planned.
Warriors Run officers thanked the police departments providing the motorcycle escort, the New Milford Mayor and Council, Police Department, Board of Education DPW and Fire Department for the assistance.
In addition both the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department and the Bergen County Police Department provided advice and assistance.
The idea for the run was born in a conversation between Bob Nesoff and Howard Berner, both of New Milford. Others heard of the effort and joined in, including: Peter Rebsch (New Milford), Warrior Run first VP; Michael Lagratta Washington Twp.), second VP; treasurer Berner,, Howard Cohn (New Milford) secretary; and Board of Directors members Steve Kaplowitz (Harrington Park), and Jay McNulty, Richard Johnson, Donna Johnson, Stanley Newman, Randie Berner and Barbara Mintz, all of New Milford. Nesoff serves as president of Warriors Run.
Warriors Run is incorporated as a non-profit in New Jersey and has an IRS 501(c)3 designation pending. Contributions may be sent to Warriors Run, Inc., P.O. Box 104, Oradell, NJ 07649-0104.
By Bob Nesoff