thedrifter
07-01-07, 07:48 AM
Posted on Sun, Jul. 01, 2007
Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix bikers 'still serving'
By WENDY DAHLE
Special to the Herald
As United States Marine Capt. James Scheller and Sgt. Juan Vara waited to lead off Saturday's Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix Patriotic Celebration motorcycle ride, many participants stopped to express their gratitude.
Scheller, a 22-year career Marine who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, was compelled to return the gesture to the many veterans in attendance.
"It's kind of like brothers and sisters coming together," he said. "Some of these people in their hearts, they're still serving."
The motorcycle ride, which started at the Sarasota-Brad- enton International Convention Center and ended at Centennial Park, was sponsored by Rossiter's Harley-Davidson and Manatee River Harley-Davidson. It was part of the activities surrounding the Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix boat races.
Now in its 23rd year, the annual Sarasota boat races raise money for the Florida Center for Child and Family Development. Motorcyclists donated $15 each toward the fundraising effort to participate in the ride.
But besides raising money, the event was also a reminder of Americans' sacrifice for freedom just days before the Fourth of July, and a way for citizens to honor veterans and those still serving.
"It's a little celebration to say thanks," said Jimmy Procopio, co-organizer of the ride. "It's a celebration for the guys and gals that are fighting the war to keep us free in America."
More than 500 bikers sporting red, white and blue stars-and-stripes bandanas, patriotic T-shirts or carrying American flags roared south onto 15th Street East at 1 p.m. and trekked the almost eight miles to the park where the Grand Prix activities continued.
Events like the Patriotic Celebration support the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who fought, and still fight, for America's freedom, said Scheller, as he talked about why he and Vara traveled from their Orlando recruiting station to lead the parade.
"It's kind of like your favorite football team," he said. "You're cheering them on. What they're doing is extraordinary."
Tom Post, a member of the Blue Knights motorcycle group of retired and active law enforcement personnel, said the ride is a reminder to Americans who are becoming too complacent about their freedom.
"Anything like this is important," said Post, a retired Manatee County Sheriff's deputy, as he waited for the ride to begin. "If you can get together a group to remember who keeps us free, it helps."
Although Roman "the Romanator" Nowak never fought in a war, he understands what it means to be an American. Nowak emigrated from Austria 22 years ago to build custom motorcycles. He now works for motorcycle daredevil Robbie Knievel and was one of the grand marshals for the ride.
"It's tremendous," he said with a slight accent. "It's an honor. It's a privilege to be here. I was always an admirer of the United States of America."
Wayne Metcalf, a member of the Christian Motorcyclists Association, said the ride was a good way to recognize veterans and the troops still fighting. A Marine sniper in Vietnam, Metcalf has two nephews serving in Iraq.
"It's your country, you've got to stand behind, good, bad or indifferent," he said. "People forget that those people fighting that war are fighting for us."
Ellie
Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix bikers 'still serving'
By WENDY DAHLE
Special to the Herald
As United States Marine Capt. James Scheller and Sgt. Juan Vara waited to lead off Saturday's Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix Patriotic Celebration motorcycle ride, many participants stopped to express their gratitude.
Scheller, a 22-year career Marine who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, was compelled to return the gesture to the many veterans in attendance.
"It's kind of like brothers and sisters coming together," he said. "Some of these people in their hearts, they're still serving."
The motorcycle ride, which started at the Sarasota-Brad- enton International Convention Center and ended at Centennial Park, was sponsored by Rossiter's Harley-Davidson and Manatee River Harley-Davidson. It was part of the activities surrounding the Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix boat races.
Now in its 23rd year, the annual Sarasota boat races raise money for the Florida Center for Child and Family Development. Motorcyclists donated $15 each toward the fundraising effort to participate in the ride.
But besides raising money, the event was also a reminder of Americans' sacrifice for freedom just days before the Fourth of July, and a way for citizens to honor veterans and those still serving.
"It's a little celebration to say thanks," said Jimmy Procopio, co-organizer of the ride. "It's a celebration for the guys and gals that are fighting the war to keep us free in America."
More than 500 bikers sporting red, white and blue stars-and-stripes bandanas, patriotic T-shirts or carrying American flags roared south onto 15th Street East at 1 p.m. and trekked the almost eight miles to the park where the Grand Prix activities continued.
Events like the Patriotic Celebration support the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who fought, and still fight, for America's freedom, said Scheller, as he talked about why he and Vara traveled from their Orlando recruiting station to lead the parade.
"It's kind of like your favorite football team," he said. "You're cheering them on. What they're doing is extraordinary."
Tom Post, a member of the Blue Knights motorcycle group of retired and active law enforcement personnel, said the ride is a reminder to Americans who are becoming too complacent about their freedom.
"Anything like this is important," said Post, a retired Manatee County Sheriff's deputy, as he waited for the ride to begin. "If you can get together a group to remember who keeps us free, it helps."
Although Roman "the Romanator" Nowak never fought in a war, he understands what it means to be an American. Nowak emigrated from Austria 22 years ago to build custom motorcycles. He now works for motorcycle daredevil Robbie Knievel and was one of the grand marshals for the ride.
"It's tremendous," he said with a slight accent. "It's an honor. It's a privilege to be here. I was always an admirer of the United States of America."
Wayne Metcalf, a member of the Christian Motorcyclists Association, said the ride was a good way to recognize veterans and the troops still fighting. A Marine sniper in Vietnam, Metcalf has two nephews serving in Iraq.
"It's your country, you've got to stand behind, good, bad or indifferent," he said. "People forget that those people fighting that war are fighting for us."
Ellie