Motorcyclists memorialize 3 teen firefighters
ZELIENOPLE — Sam Bucci, Elijah Lunsford and Trevor Barkley were too young to ride motorcycles before they died in their teens, but the organizers of an annual event memorializing the three volunteer firefighters said they would probably appreciate the sentiment.
Sunday morning, Aug. 27, was the 13th annual Brotherhood Memorial Ride hosted by Harmony Fire District honoring Bucci, Lunsford and Barkley — who died in a traffic accident in January 2010.
“They were still in high school,” said Josh Rader, co-chairman of the ride, “but with their personalities, I have no doubt that they would be right here beside us riding.”
Paul Reynolds, firefighter and co-chairman of the Brotherhood Memorial Ride committee, estimated that 150 riders would participate in the ride from Zelienople Community Park to Pine Township Engine Company in Grove City and back.
“We have a lot of firemen that were involved (from the start) that are still riding today,” Reynolds said. “It’s too good to not do; a lot of good things come out of it.”
Bikes began lining up at 9 a.m. Sunday, and they took off in a cloud of dust at 11:15 a.m. While the bikers waited to shove off, they could put tickets into silent auction baskets and enjoy the fellowship of other bikers and members of the Harmony Fire District.
Rader said the atmosphere is always positive during the ride.
“We definitely have a solid following of people we see every year, that have been here since the very first year,” Rader said. “This is the one day of the year that everybody stops what they’re doing and goes for a ride.”
At $20 per bike registration and $10 per passengers, Reynolds estimated that the event would raise from $3,000 to $5,000 this year. The money has been used to fund memorial scholarships for the three deceased firefighters, and the skate park within Zelienople Community Park.
Now, the money also goes to a hardship fund aimed at helping people who run into emergency situations.
“If they have a situation with any fire, EMS, military — if they have a hardship, we can donate funding to the families,” Reynolds said. “It’s a good benefit for the families, if they come into a hardship.”
Dave Hopkins, of Evans City, said the memorial ride is the only group ride he takes part in each year. He has connections in the Harmony Fire District, but beyond that, Hopkins said the memorial ride is an easy, relaxing ride.
“This one has always maintained and it’s a nice, easygoing ride,” Hopkins said. “It’s close to home, it’s a nice close ride, come back and get lunch and I can get back at 2 o’clock. You meet a lot of nice people here.”
