News

I would like to say, “thank you” to all of you who supported us this year, including our Patriot Riders members, their spouses, friends, other chapters and all our supporters. You all make me so proud to be a Patriot Rider, even more this year than ever before. You should be proud of yourselves as well. Together, we all did an outstanding job this year supporting our Troops. We have been able to do so much these last few years, especially this year. We have affected so many Veterans and members of our community with all our contributions.

This year’s Spring Ride created needed funding for care packages to our troops overseas. We were able to have our 1st Bike Show at the Chop Shop Pub in Seabrook, NH with a great turnout and success. I want to thank the Chop Shop for their support and the excitement during their T-shirt giveaway, as well as our newest friends from Maine that appeared like magic. Our 1st Comedy Show at the Bradford Tavern was also a great success providing us additional funding towards our Veterans Christmas Fund. I want to thank all the Comedians for volunteering their time and the Bradford Tavern for making this all possible. This year’s Christmas Fund helped a few more local Veterans in need and also their families. Your support was many times more than we expected and what these Veterans and their families expected as well. We saw firsthand what we can do together to make someone’s Christmas very special. These veterans and families thank you for your generosity. A member said after meeting one of the families, and I quote, “I now need nothing for Christmas this year.”

The executive member of the Patriot Riders–NE, Massachusetts Chapter One has established a new program to recognize one individual who best represents the Patriot Riders each year. This recognition is for someone who has dedicated himself/herself to supporting our mission goals and, ultimately, our Veterans. It is a recognition that is long overdue for our members. I am asking that we continue this yearly award and it to be presented at every Patriot Riders Christmas Party or at one of our December Meetings. On the 15th of December, we recognized an individual for his outstanding leadership, service, support and love for his fellow Patriot Riders. He had always supported our Veterans first and himself second and he always kept to the Mission Statement, Constitution and Bylaws set in place by our founding fathers of the Patriot Riders-NE. It is someone we all love, enjoy knowing and working with, that has also gone beyond what anyone could expect. We are asking that he continues to excel, meeting and often exceeding everyone’s expectations. I am very proud that we honor and recognize our President, Fred Hardy as our Patriot Rider of the Year 2011.

Patriot Riders also welcomed a new chapter this year, Patriot Riders of America, Maine Chapter One! Welcome and thank you for your dedication and support!

Veterans protect our freedom 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Without them, we could not be here safe today. We thank those who serve and who have served and we will pray for you so that you may return home safely to your families.

We wish you a happy and healthy holiday season to you and your loved ones.

God Bless America.

Sincerely,

MA—Chapter One