NORWALK--Everyone finds their own ways to mark momentous events, and one memorial being held in honor of September 11 is a bit different from the rest.
The Connecticut United Ride to Remember 9/11 is a massive motorcycle event founded by Frederick Garrity Jr. and the Fiarfield County Labor Council, and sponsored by the United Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut. In fact, it's the largest 9/11 tribute in the state, as well as the largest annual fundraiser for fire and police.
The first Ride to Remember was held September 30, 2001, just weeks after the terrorist attacks. About 500 riders showed up, but this year a many as 5,000 are expected!
Held on the week after Labor Day each year, it's a special coincidence that this year's Sunday coincides with the 15th anniversary of 9/11.
Money raised through the registration fee goes to relief funds for Connecticut police and firefighters, as well as to a donation to the local United Way. The route begins in Norwalk, and then travels through Westport, Wilton, Georgetown, Redding, Bethel, Newtown, Monroe, Trumbull, Fairfield, and ends in Bridgeport. Local fire stations will come out with their trucks strung with an American flag in each town, and at the end several trucks will form a bridge at Seaside Park in Bridgeport.
Registration opens at 8:30 a.m., a ceremony will take place at 10:30, and the ride will begin at 11:30. At the end there will be food and music at Seaside Park.
Here's the route if you'd like to watch:
- Motorcade from Norden Park in Norwalk to Route 136
- to Route 33 through Westport
- to Wilton Route 7
- to Route 107 Georgetown
- to Route 58N Redding
- to Route 302 Bethel
- to Newtown Route 25 through Monroe
- to Main Street Trumbull
- to Old Town Rd
- to Park Avenue in Fairfield
- to Seaside Park in Bridgeport
