Motorcycle Riders Show Sandy Hook, We're Still With You

[This article was posted by Gary Jeanfaivre. It was reported and written by Newtown Patch Editor Davis Dunavin and Monroe Patch Editor Bill Bittar.]

As the Green Ribbon Ride passed through Newtown (see gallery of photos here!) residents were ready to provide a warm welcome. After all, the ride was for them.

With blankets and picnic baskets, residents grouped in clusters along on the motorcycle ride's path -- from Route 34 in Sandy Hook, across Wasserman Way, then down Route 25 -- cheering on the 3,000 motorcyclists who rode to support victims of the Dec. 14 shooting, their families and first responders.

Supporters gathered at nearly every step of the route -- including outside Reed Intermediate School, the Fairfield Hills campus, near Newtown High School, and down Route 25.

On Route 34, many found themselves at Misty Vale Deli and nearby Great Ring Farm, just a mile from where bikers crossed into Newtown from Monroe.

"To hear that so many people are supporting Newtown and Sandy Hook, how could we not come out and support them?" said Lisa Sheridan, a Sandy Hook resident and Newtown High School teacher.

"All the outpouring of love from everybody, especially when it comes from other towns, shows that [they're] still supporting us -- that everybody's still thinking about us, and they want us to be strong. You know, I think that makes us all pull together and say, 'You know what? It's going to be okay. We'll keep moving on.'"

In Monroe, town firefighters used two ladder trucks to raise a giant American Flag for the motorcade to pass under.

"It's a great event for the town of Newtown and all the first responders in general," said Stepney Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Klemish. "It's a small way we can show support for our neighboring town."

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Newtown Survivor Fund, Newtown Police Union, Newtown EMS, the five Newtown fire departments, local children's charities, The Center for Women & Families and Al's Angels.

Fred Garrity Jr., who is executive director of the annual CT United Ride remembering 9/11, is also the director of the Green Ribbon Ride. Other ride officials include Greg Gnandt and Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire Assistant Chief Anthony Capozziello.

The Green Ribbon Ride is sponsored by all five Newtown Fire Departments — Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Co., Hawleyville Fire Co., Botsford Fire Rescue, Newtown Hook & Ladder and the Dodgingtown Fire Co. The start of the ride was hosted by the Town of Shelton and its Mayor Mark Lauretti.

The swarm of bikes left from the corner of Howe Avenue and Cornell Street in Shelton at 11 a.m. Saturday morning and followed a police escort up Route 110 to Route 34 in Derby, Seymour, Oxford, Monroe and Newtown before heading south through Monroe and Trumbull.

The bikers turned right onto Main Street in Trumbull, before ending their route at the Trumbull Westfield Mall.