Posted by
M*A on Saturday, April 18, 2009 8:12:39 PM
Just a lil’ reminder…..
7th Annual Rally for Troops, Sunday
April 19, 2009, in Downtown Cleveland Public Square from 11 AM to 12
NOON. Free parking at all Tower City parking lots. Anticipate over 2000
motorcyclist from various Harley Davidson Dealerships in NE Ohio will
meet at 8:30 AM and depart at 9:30 AM in a processional ride to
downtown Cleveland Ohio to attend the Rally. Jim Mantel of WGAR will MC
the ceremony and Monica Robins of WKYC will sing the National Anthem.
Public
is encouraged to attend to express their support for our veterans,
active military and families of Ohio’s 192 Fallen Heroes. Please plan
on arriving around 10 AM as traffic will be an issue in downtown due to
the Rally.
Speakers
include family members of three Ohio’s Fallen Heroes. Due to the
extended tours of duty from 12 months to 15/18 months the suicide rate
for returning veterans is reaching record highs. We lost an estimated
65 returning veterans to suicide in the first three months of 2009,
more than in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan. Representative of the VA
will be present with materials to educate the public on how to deal
with PTSD issues. There
will be a reading of the names of Ohio’s 192 Fallen Heroes, followed by
a 21 gun salute, taps and the Cleveland Firefighters Memorial Pipes and
Drums playing Amazing Grace.
2009
Rally Pins and Patches will be sold at the Rally, with proceeds to
American Veterans with Brain Injuries (avbi.org) and Ghost Riders
Foundation (ghostridersfoundation.org). Both organizations deal with
education and support for veterans with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and suicide issues.