By Starr Munro
Riverbend News
The Brotherhood Ride of 2020 arrived in Live Oak on Wednesday, Oct. 7, after riding over 500 miles in the span of seven days, starting from Fort Myers, Fla. The bicycle ride was dedicated to 25 fallen heroes who died in the line of duty in 2019 and each rider raised money for the families of those who passed away while selflessly serving their communities.
First responders from all over the state of Florida came together to honor the sacrifice given to the communities and those who lost their lives while honoring their oaths to protect civilians. These heroes may have been considered “strangers” to others, but those who trained hard for the journey to travel across the large state of Florida know better. Dedicated riders included those from fire departments, police departments, Department of Homeland Security, Florida Forest Service, Florida Highway Patrol, sheriff's offices and the South Trail Fire and Rescue District. All of these first responders rode together, not as strangers, but as brothers and sisters, and not for strangers, but for their fallen sisters and brothers. Also part of the journey was a large support team, there to give aide to any who needed it, and ensuring that all riders involved could complete this year’s mission in good health.
Brotherhood Ride formed 12 years ago on June 18, 2007, in Charleston, S.C., after nine firefighters passed away in the line of duty. Their comrades, all the way down in the southern region of Florida, joined together shortly after the tragedy and conceptualized this annual event to honor and memorialize those who gave all they had for those civilians they promised to protect. The group had a goal of providing not only financial aide to the families effected by tragic loss, but emotional support to those who needed it. Their goal was not intended to be an easy walk in the park but a symbol of the endurance, pain and sacrifice of those who were taken from their communities and who were no strangers to the concepts themselves. That first ride started in Naples, Fla., and ended in Charleston, S.C. And since then, Brotherhood Ride has ridden for hundreds of fallen emergency first responders, 572 in all, and traveled through 16 different states, for a total of over 9,200 miles ridden in memoriam. They have also raised over $500,000 to those families in need who lost a family member. The state representative of Baker, Columbia, Hamilton and Suwannee counties, Chuck Brannan, came out to show his support and share a few words of praise as well as some good words for all to live by, “Always go out and do a good job and never tarnish the memories of those we've lost and those who came before you.”
Citizens can donate, keep informed or learn more on how to lend support to this special cause by visiting http://www.brotherhoodride.com/.