Close to 8 a.m. last Friday, a large group of firefighters left the Montgomery Fire Station on bicycle for Houston. The firefighters are part of the Brotherhood Ride and were graciously housed at the Montgomery Fire Station overnight.
They left Montgomery and traveled to Hillcroft, where a deadly fire took the lives of four Houston firefighters last year. Afterward, they rode to Houston Fire Station 68 where a memorial service as held at 5 p.m.
The Brotherhood Ride organization consists of firefighters, police officers, and EMS personnel who ride bicycles to honor emergency respondents who died in the line of duty. Their mission is to provide emotional and financial support to the families of fallen heroes on or near the anniversary of their loved one’s death. Over the past six years, they have honored the memory and sacrifice of 444 first respondents. They have traveled over 4,700 miles by bike through 16 states and have been hosted and assisted by over 40 Elks Lodges nationwide.
Past Brotherhood Rides include cycling to Charleston, SC in 2008; Florida in 2009; Houston, TX in 2010; New York City (Ground Zero) in 2011; Florida in 2012 and Tennessee in 2013. In the past six years they have proudly donated over $191,000.00 to the families left behind.
The 2014 Ride will honor 19 Firefighters from Texas; (1) from Dallas, (2) from Bryan, (12) from West and
(4) from Houston, who died in the line of duty in 2013. Their journey began on May 22, 2014 where the traveled from
Louisiana to Dallas then down through West, Bryan. The ride ended May 30, 2014 in Houston. They peddled over 750 miles in 9 days and averaged 80-100 miles per day.
The Brotherhood Ride is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity organization . Other than the cost of conducting the rides, all donated proceeds go directly to the beneficiaries designated. No one is compensated for their time in order to maximize the impact of donations.
The 2014 Ride will be dedicated to our fallen brothers and sisters from Texas.
Dallas Fire – Last alarm 5/20/13
Firefighter Stanley Wilson – Dallas Fire Rescue !
West Fire – Last Alarm 4/17/2013
Captain Kenneth Harris Jr. – Dallas Fire Rescue
Captain Douglas Snokhous – West Fire Department
Captain Robert Snokhous – West Fire Department
Firefighter Morris Bridges – West Fire Department
Firefighter Perry Calvin – Navarro Mills Fire Department
Firefighter Jerry Chapman – Abbott Fire Department
Firefighter Cody Dragoo – West Fire Department
Firefighter Jimmy Matus – West Fire Department
Firefighter Joey Pustejovsky – West Fire Department
Firefighter Cyrus Reed – Abbott Fire Department
Firefighter Kevin Sanders – Bruceville-Eddy Fire Department
Firefighter Buc ! k Uptmor – West Fire Department
Bryan Fire – Last Alarm 2/15/2013
Lieutenant Gregory Pickard – Bryan Fire Department
Lieutenant Eric Wallace – Bryan Fire Department
Houston Fire – Last Alarm 5/31/2013
Captain Matthew Renaud – Houston Fire Department
Engineer Operator Robert Bebee – Houston Fire Department
Firefighter Robert Garner – Houston Fire Department
Firefighter Anne Sullivan – Houston Fire Department
41 riders and their support team of 17 will meet with local fire departments and law enforcement agencies to show the spirit of the Brotherhood Ride.
This year, the ride will made overnight stops in Eunice, LA; Jasper, TX; Alto, TX; Tyler, TX; Dallas, TX; West, TX; Bryan, TX; Montgomery, TX; Houston, TX.
Using “SPOT”, a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) a link is established on the website
(www.brotherhoodride.com) that followed the procession of cyclists in real time as they make their trek heading north.
Overnight Accommodations with Next Morning 8:00 am Departure:
May 22, 2014 – Eunice, LA
Louisiana State University
2048 Johnson Highway
Eunice, LA 70535 !
May 23, 2014 – Jasper, TX
First United Methodist Church of Jasper
329 N. Bowie St.
Jasper, TX 75951 !
May 24, 2014 – Alto, TX
Alto Christian Academy
303 Maggie Sessions St.
Alto, TX 75925 !
May 25, 2014 – Tyler, TX
Tyler Elks Lodge #215
13618 State Highway 31 W
Tyler, TX 75709 !
May 26, 2014 – Dallas, TX
Dallas Elks Lodge #71
Lullwater Dr.
Dallas, TX 75238 !
May 27, 2014 – West, TX
West Texas EMS Headquarters
111 S. Reagan St.
West, TX 76691 !
May 28, 2014 – Bryan, TX
Bryan Elks Lodge
304 Mobil Ave.
Bryan, TX 77801 !
May 29, 2014 – Montgomery, TX
Montgomery Fire Station #51
20590 Eva St.
Montgomery, TX 77356 !
May 30, 2014 – Houston, TX
Houston Fire Station #68 (ride in to meet family, friends & community)
8602 Bissonnett
Houston, Texas 77074
Houston Fire Training Academy (overnight accommodations)
8030 Braniff St.
Houston, TX 77061 !
Rider & Support Participation Information:
• Florida Fire Departments (22)
• Florida Police Departments (1)
• North Carolina Fire Departments (1)
• South Carolina Fire Departments (1)
• Arizona Police Departments (1)
• Texas Fire Departments (24)
• Lousiana Police Departments (1)
• Massachusetts Fire Departments (1)
• Civilians with support (6)
To help support the loved ones who are left behind, the Brotherhood Ride relies donations, support, and sponsorship. This year’s proceeds will go to the families of the nineteen firefighters they are honoring.
To help the Brotherhood Ride reach their goal, you can visit their website to make a donation, purchase t-shirts or contact them if you would like more information on becoming a sponsor.
www.brotherhoodride.com
Follow them on facebook at www.facebook.com/brotherhoodride
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