Halifax-area bikers hold 9/11 memorial ride

HALIFAX – A group of motorcyclists hope the rumble from their bikes sends a reminder to Nova Scotians about a tragedy that struck 13 years ago.

The Red Knights Motorcycle Club is for active or retired firefighters. On Sunday, it held a memorial ride in memory of the September 11th attacks in the U.S. and to honour all the lives lost.

About 80 people, ranging from veterans to firefighters to members of the general public, showed up to participate.

“The world changed on 9/11 and we think it’s important to remember that so we keep it close to our hearts. It was a tragic day and we don’t ever want to forget that,” said John Cunningham, president of the N.S. Red Knights Motorcycle Club.

The events of 9/11 killed more than 2,700 people and hundreds of first responders.

Organizers hope to raise between $1,500 and $2,000 for the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation, an organization that supports families of firefighters who have been killed.

Lana Patterson’s and her husband, who is a firefighter, attended the bike ride.

Patterson said she hopes residents remember September 11th for years to come.

“I want them to know the families are not forgotten and the ones we’ve lost are not forgotten,” she said.

The ride snaked through Dartmouth out to Porters Lake, through Lake Echo, Cole Harbour and Eastern Passage.

The group of bikers, who was escorted by police and followed by members of the Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency, stopped traffic along the way, but they also hope to stop people from forgetting the events of that fateful day.

“We just want to keep that close in our hearts, our memories to remember the fallen,” said Cunningham.

This is the sixth year the Red Knights have organized the event.