Rain failed to halt the I & I Firefighters Association’s 9-11 Memorial Ride Sunday. Dozens gathered to participate in the ride which started at Danville’s Village Mall Shopping Center. One of them, Mark Ames of Westville, noted people in his generation remember where they were when the Twin Towers were attacked in New York on September 11th, 2001….
{AUDIO: ”You know I remember where I was at. I was doing some chores at the farm and my grandmother came out crying declaring we were under attack. And, of course, they were old enough to remember the last time this nation was under attack. And then as far as being on the fire department, you know, there’s a soft spot in my heart for the loss of servicemen and women. So as we ride today – rain or shine – were going to be thinking about those brothers who gave it all.”}
Danville Police and Firefighters escorted the riders as they left the mall. Later the riders would pass through areas including West Lebanon, Rossville, Hoopeston and Paxton among others.
(Those wearing yellow shirts had earlier ridden to Ground Zero in New York, and to the Flight 93 National Memorial at Shanksville, Pennsylvania.)
Money raised by the ride goes to the I & I Firefighters Association Fallen Firefighter Fund.
