By Joe Cuminale
Photo credits: Joe Cuminale
On the morning of Sunday, June 9, a Motorcycle Group known as L.I. A.B.A.T.E. (American Bikers for Awareness, Training, and Education) held its Annual Veteran’s Appreciation Motorcycle Ride.
This Ride occurs every year as close to Flag Day as possible. This year, there were rain and winds in the forecast, but that doesn’t stop the bikers, especially when it comes to helping our Veterans. Registration for this event was at the ball field across from the North Sea Firehouse. A total of approximately 150 motorcycles registered to go on the ride from North Sea through Sag Harbor and ending in Southampton.
Normally, a Gold Star Mother, Joanne Lyles, along with a group of volunteers, usually decorate the LCPL. Jordan Haerter Veteran’s Memorial Bridge leading into Sag Harbor, but the high winds prohibited putting up the service branch flags. Joanne is the mother of Lance Cpl. Jordan Haerter, who was killed in action in Iraq on April 22, 2008.
But the Marines came to the rescue. Members of the Leathernecks Motorcycle Club and Rolling Thunder Chapter, NY6, picked up our nation’s flag and the Flag of the United States Marine Corps and formed a flag line (in the now heavy rain), for the approximately eighty bikers who chose to make the ride in the rain and stood at attention and saluted as the riders passed over the bridge. The ride continued safely to the Southampton Elks Lodge for a barbecue and an excellent Flag Day history lesson about the birth of our flag.
Thank You to the Elks Members for their hospitality and to the Southampton Fire Department for having a giant American flag hanging for the riders to pass under (pictured above).
