FDNY Southern Rumble

4 motorcycles, 5,000+ miles, 15 cities, 2 weeks, $20,000.  All for one cause.

On August 9, four members of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) will kick off a 2-week, 15-city, motorcycle ride in their effort to raise funds and awareness for Hope For The Warriors®.  The group has set a goal to raise $20,000 through fundraising events throughout the summer.

The group includes four men who are avid bikers, but more importantly, four men that are determined to serve within their communities and country.  They include:

John Finnerty--Firefighter Ladder 29, Rides a Harley Fat Boy

Kevin McEntyre--Firefighter, Special Operations Command, Retired, 9/11 First Responder, Rides a Harley Road Glide

Jason Puser--Firefighter Ladder 29, Rides a Harley Street Glide

Chris Walsh--Firefighter Ladder 17, 9/11 First Responder, USMC Iraqi War Vet, Rides a Harley Street Glide

First Visit to Medical Center

Chris shares the reason he focuses time and energy on raising funds for the wounded. After he returned from Iraq and was discharged, he and fellow fire fighters traveled to Washington, D.C. to visit wounded service members in the medical centers.  As he spoke with the wounded, he listened to their stories, and learned what had happened to each of them.

He was speaking with a young Marine who had lost one of his legs in Iraq.  As this man shared the story of how he was injured, Chris realized that he knew exactly where this man had been hurt.

“The streets that I had been driving down (while in Iraq) were the same streets these guys were getting getting hit by IEDs.  I was just lucky.”

That discovery gave Chris another reason to focus on helping these wounded service members.  In spite of his busy schedule, he knows that it could have been him wounded and in rehabilitation at the hospital.

Jason, John, Kevin and Chris have all served many years within their local communities.  As firefighters, they understand first hand the importance of service within the community and our country.

 

Travel Support

The group seeks donations and support along the way for the trip.  The more donations they receive in hotel rooms, lodging, meals and gas cards, the more that goes directly to Hope For The Warriors®.  Their goal is for all of the funds to be donated directly to Hope For The Warriors®.  The full route can be seen at www.hopeforthewarriors.org/fdnyrumblers.  Stops include:

Ashville, NC; Nashville, TN; Memphis, TN; Dallas, TX; Austin, TX; (Day trip to San Antonio, TX); New Orleans, LA; Montgomery, AL; Gainesville, FL; Sarasota, FL; Key West, FL; Daytona, FL; Fayetteville, NC; and Bethesda, MD. 

Walter Reed Family BBQ

The last stop before they return to New York City will be in Washington, D.C.  The group is joining Hope For The Warriors® for a BBQ at Walter Reed Military Medical Center.  The BBQ will be open to service members and their families undergoing rehabilitation at the medical facility. 

All of the guys are excited and grateful for the opportunity to visit with these American heroes.  They are also thankful for the opportunity to tour the country, highlighting the important work that has been done by Hope For The Warriors® and the work that still needs to be done to restore self, family and hope for wounded service members and military families.

 

Second Year

This is the second year of the rumble.  Last year’s was called “Rumble to the Rockies” and five men rode west into the Rocky Mountains.  The group raised more than $18,000 and like this year, ended the two week road trip with a BBQ at Walter Reed Military Medical Center.  This year the men are excited to travel a new route with new people to listen to their message.

To learn more or donate, visit www.hopeforthewarriors.org/fdnyrumblers.