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At Corey’s Cruise, Comperatore family touts community support over past year

Helen Comperatore enjoys music Saturday, July 12, performed by Gary Burk III during a concert to honor her late husband, Corey Comperatore, at No Offsesaon Sports complex in Russellton. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

RUSSELTON — When Helen Comperatore spoke Saturday night, July 12, about the 12 months since her husband, Corey Comperatore, was killed, she made clear that recovering takes a village.

Attendees pump their fists in the air to the song “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood as a large 28-by-60 foot American flag was unveiled by an organization called The Patriot Flag during a Gary Burk III concert Saturday to honor the late Corey Comperatore at No Offsesaon Sports complex in Russellton. Corey Comperatore was killed during an attack on a Trump campaign rally July 13, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

It helps too, she said, that he is smiling from heaven, looking at the community come together.

Helen Comperatore and her daughters, Kaylee and Allyson, spoke toward the end of the Corey’s Cruise event which ended in Russelton, about how the community has stood by their side in the aftermath of the July 13, 2024 rally shooting that took Corey’s life.

“If you look at this, look at all of this, this is amazing,” she said. “People have cared all along, not just today, all year long. I have been so well taken care of this past year.”

During her speech, Helen Comperatore specifically thanked people, including Scott Docherty and Corey’s half brother Steve Warheit, two of the event organizers. In the weeks and months following Corey’s death, she said they were always there to help the family and were two of the main people that came up with the idea of Corey’s Cruise.

A large 28-by-60 foot American flag was unveiled by an organization called The Patriot Flag during a Gary Burk III concert Saturday, July 12, to honor the late Corey Comperatore at No Offsesaon Sports complex in Russellton. Corey Comperatore was killed during an attack on a Trump campaign rally July 13, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Comperatore also thanked Megan Warheit, foundation secretary, and Kip Johnson, foundation vice president and Corey Comperatore’s co-worker, for doing all the “field work” to help organize the event; and Karin Lund, another organizer; and countless others.

She said she “wouldn’t know what to do without these people,” and they’ve been able to cry together, sit in silence together and get through the trauma of the rally shooting together while putting together the event.

The afternoon and evening celebration followed the Corey’s Cruise bike ride Saturday morning that saw roughly 1,500 motorcyclists take the roads of Butler and Allegheny counties, inspired out of Corey Comperatore’s love for motorcycles.

Helen Comperatore becomes emotional Saturday, July 12, after a specialized casing for Corey Comperatore’s uniform is unveiled during a Gary Burk III concert to honor her late husband at No Offsesaon Sports complex in Russellton. Corey Comperatore was killed during an attack on a Trump campaign rally July 13, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

The afternoon and evening included a list of singers and speakers who paid homage to Corey Comperatore in various ways. One speaker, John Knox, presented to the family a wooden ax meant to represent the brotherhood of those in the fire service.

Rob Demlow, a firefighter from Indiana who runs a nonprofit called Brotherhood Designs Corporation, presented a custom gear case to the family and the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company — a gesture that moved Helen Comperatore and her daughters to tears.

At the event, musicians played a mix of country and rock n’ roll songs, with consistent themes of patriotism and honoring local firefighters throughout the show.

At one point, a 28-by-60 foot American flag was unveiled by an organization called The Patriot Flag. The group had previously provided the flag to be flown by the Emlenton Fire Department during Corey Comperatore’s funeral.

Comperatore’s daughters spoke on their father’s selflessness, and how important the cause of honoring his legacy is to them. Kaylee Comperatore said she was previously doing a TV interview and was asked what her dad would think of “all of this.” She said the answer is right there in front of her.

Tim Krytzer helps fold a large 28-by-60 foot American flag unveiled Saturday, July 12, by an organization called The Patriot Flag as it was being folded during a Gary Burk III concert to honor the late Corey Comperatore at No Offsesaon Sports complex in Russellton. Corey Comperatore was killed during an attack on a Trump campaign rally July 13, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

“I knew that if my dad was here, he’d say he would never, ever deserve any of this. He would say what he did that day was what any man should do for his wife and his kids,” Kaylee Comperatore said.

Helen Comperatore said the event will be held again next year.

“About 10 months ago, when the idea of a motorcycle run came about, we did think it was a little crazy,” Allyson Comperatore said. “We didn’t really know how to look forward to something after what we witnessed. And we thought about it, and we knew we needed something to get us out of bed.

“We knew we needed a purpose. What started as a motorcycle memorial run turned into such a big event with all of these people.”

View and purchase Eagle photos at photos.butlereagle.com

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