The 2011 Brotherhood Ride visited Colleton County this weekend, arriving at the Elks Lodge off of Jefferies Highway Saturday evening, resting overnight and continuing on to Charleston Sunday morning. The 30+ riders are almost half way through a nearly month long trek, beginning in Fort Meyers FL and ending in New York City. The ride this year is dedicated to the 411 responders who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 at the Trade Center Towers in New York City. The group started on August 20 and plan to reach New York on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on our country. This is the group’s second trip to Colleton County, as they conducted a previous ride from FL to Charleston to honor the nine firefighters lost at the Sofa Supper Store Fire. The team of riders is made up of Firefighters, Law Enforcement Officers and EMS personnel. This year Charleston Firefighter David Griffin is making the entire trip, while two additional Charleston Firefighters will be joining up Sunday for the remainder of the ride to New York. Each cyclist is a volunteer and takes time off from work to make the journey. They are escorted and supported locally by emergency services, but depend heavily on sponsorships as they bring attention to the dedication and sacrifices of those who gave their lives in the line of duty. The organization raises money to assist the families the beneficiaries of the fallen.
The group rode through lower South Carolina Saturday, arriving in Colleton County near Yemassee around 15:30. Battalion 1 and Engine 1 escorted them along Hendersonville Hwy, where Walterboro Public Safety assisted for the trip along Jefferies Blvd to the Elks Lodge. The Elks are a corporate sponsor and provided lodging and other support activities Saturday night. Several participants traveled to Station 19 for showers and Ice. The crew departed at 09:00 Sunday morning, with Engine 19, Medic 1 and Battalion 1 escorting them. Walterboro Public Safety again assisted through the City along Robertson Blvd. They made a short stop at Station 12 and then headed for the long trip to Charleston. Engine 2, Engine 32 and Medic 6 blocked the busy intersection of ACE Basin Parkway (US Hwy 17) and Charleston Highway (SC Hwy 64) to allow the cyclist a safe passage on to Highway 17. Many citizens applauded and waved flags as the team passed along the highway. The organization has several support vehicles including a couple of motor homes, pickup trucks and trailers with food, water and repair/parts for the bikes.
Anyone wishing to donate or support the organization may obtain additional information from the Brotherhood Ride website found at www.brotherhoodride.com.
