Helping Vets And Having Fun, Too
On May 30, a procession of approximately 100 motorcycles rode through our city.
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It was the Ride for the 2009 National Veterans Wheelchair Games.
Our motorcycle procession rode into New Berlin and past the New Berlin Veterans Memorial. We also traveled through Muskego, Franklin, Oak Creek, South Milwaukee, Cudahy, Greenfield, West Allis and Milwaukee that Saturday. We passed several memorial and military sites and also rode in the parade on the VA grounds.
Veterans and non-veterans took part in the Ride. Three paralyzed veterans rode in motorcycle sidecars and really seemed to enjoy the experience.
The money generated from the Ride will help pay travel expenses for 25 paralyzed veteran athletes, their caregivers and coaches to attend the National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Spokane, Washington in July.
The National Veterans Wheelchair Games are held annually. They are important, not only for the competition and camaraderie among the athletes, but for the positive message they convey that there is life after spinal cord injury. It’s not what you’ve lost but what you have left that counts.
Many people contributed to making this year’s Ride for the National Veterans Wheelchair Games a fun, safe and successful event.
It was great having County Executives (Waukesha) Dan Vrakas and (Milwaukee) Scott Walker and New Berlin Mayor Jack Chiovatero participate in the Ride activities.
Dan Vrakas and Jack Chiovatero at VA grounds
The Waukesha and Milwaukee County Sheriffs Departments, the New Berlin Police Department and the police departments of the other communities that assisted us, did an outstanding job. Our thanks to all of you.
Special thanks to these sponsors for their donations and assistance:
Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro (provided a delicious lunch in a beautiful, relaxing setting)
Atlanta Bread (provided sandwiches and a scrumptious breakfast—bakery and more)
Starbucks (supplied coffee)
Fed Ex Greenfield (magnetic car signs)
Uncle Bob’s (speakers, microphone)
Mollica’s Pub (transported wheelchairs)
House of Harley Davidson (place to meet)
Hals Harley Davidson (raffle items donation)
Denoon Saloon (raffle item donation)
Greg Grueneberg deserves a lot of credit for organizing this wonderful event.
I am looking forward to next year’s benefit motorcycle Ride.