The Centurion Cycling Club had a fantastic 2007! Members enjoyed a number of rides and raised significant funds to support many different causes. Riders participated in the Rodman Ride for Kids, the Reid Sacco Memorial Ride to Support Cancer Research, the Officer Michael Briggs Memorial Ride, the Tour de Force Ride from Yankee Stadium to Fenway Park, and the Hub on Wheels Citywide Bike Ride.
Through the generosity and good will of our supporters, Club members raised nearly $75,000 to support the aforementioned rides and their causes, as well as the Pan Mass Challenge, the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, the “Give Kids the World Village,” a non-profit resort in Florida that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses, the ARC (Association for Retarded Citizens) of Northern Bristol County, the Project SPOKE Collaborative (The SPOKE Collaborative provides intensive, specialized programs and district-based therapy services. Key program components focus on meeting the needs of “low incidence" children whose diagnoses can include PDD/ Autism, Health Impairment, Communication, and Intellectual Impairments, as well as combination diagnoses.), the Jimmy Fund, Curt’s Pitch for ALS, and the NYPD Widow’s and Children’s Fund, which supports surviving family members of public safety personnel killed during the 9/11 tragedy.
The Officer Michael Briggs Memorial Ride, Boston to Manchester, NH
On May 21, 2007, cyclists from the Centurion Cycling Club, the Manchester, NH PD, Salem, Andover, Lawrence, Lynn, Holliston, Medford, Methuen, Reading, North Reading, Somerville and Stoneham Police Departments left the Bunker Hill Community College parking lot in Charlestown and pedaled 55 miles to Manchester, NH in a ride to honor the memory of Manchester Officer Michael Briggs, who was killed in the line of duty on October 16, 2006.
It was a bright, sunny day and as all riders remember, extremely windy. We enjoyed the support of police departments along the route, who ensured our safety through difficult traffic conditions. One mile from our final destination at the Manchester PD Police Athletic League building, Officer Briggs’ children joined us and pedaled the final distance on their bicycles.
At the Police Athletic League building, which was being named in honor of Officer Briggs, John Gallagher, president of the Centurion Cycling Club, presented a plaque to Officer Briggs’ family to commemorate the ride and to honor his memory. A plaque was also presented to Manchester Chief John Jaskolka for police headquarters. Riders presented a check in the amount of $15,000 to Manchester Officer Alan Aldenberg for the Officer Michael Briggs Memorial Fund.
Below are the remarks delivered by John Gallagher at the ceremony in Manchester:
“To the Briggs family, we offer our sincerest condolences on the loss of Michael. We know that you still anguish over his untimely and tragic death.
As members of the law enforcement community, we know full well the sacrifices we ask our families to make each day and without their love, encouragement and guidance we cannot fulfill the roles we’ve sworn to perform. Your love and support of Michael surely provided him with the courage to perform his perilous duties, even in the face of death.
We share in your grief and want you to know that Michael’s bravery and dedication will not be forgotten by his brothers and sisters of the thin blue line.
We also offer our condolences to the men and women of the Manchester Police Department. It is always difficult to lose a friend and colleague to violence. Michael served with honor and distinction and of him you must be very proud.
For the past 15 years, members of the Boston Police and other departments participated in an annual ride from Boston to Washington, DC during National Police Week. The ride was organized not just to honor the memory of officers killed in the line of duty during the year, but also to raise funds for the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Memorial. Over those 15 years, officers raised significant capital to support the Memorial construction. On May 21, 2004, the Memorial was dedicated at the State House in Boston and now serves as testimony to the courage of officers who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of the public they served.
The annual ride to Washington generated an enthusiasm for long-distance bicycle riding among the officers who participated. Many wanted to continue, and in 2005, we organized the Centurion Cycling Club. The club participates in various organized bicycle events and raises money for different causes. Over the past few years, we’ve raised many thousands of dollars to benefit research to find cures for cancer, multiple sclerosis, and other diseases, as well as support funding for the victims and families of the 9/11 tragedy. We also participate each year in the “Rodman Ride for Kids,” an event that supports activities for inner city youth.
When word spread that we hoped to organize a ride in memory of Michael, officers from many departments responded and asked how they could help. Officers from Manchester, Boston, Lynn, Lawrence, Methuen, the Essex County Sheriff’s Department and other police agencies were eager to participate. Over several months officers raised funds to benefit the Briggs family and honor Michael’s memory. It is with our deepest sympathy and respect that we present you with a check for $15,000 as a symbol of our commitment to you that he will not be forgotten and as testimony to the sacrifice that our brother Michael made on behalf of the citizens of Manchester, New Hampshire. We also present this plaque to commemorate this occasion. The plaque reads, “Dedicated to the memory of Manchester Police Officer Michael Briggs. The Officer Michael Briggs Bicycle Ride, May 21, 2007.”
I want to thank Chief John Jaskolka, Deputy Chief Marc Lussier and Officer Alan Aldenberg of the Manchester Police Department, Police Commissioner Edward Davis and Officers Steve Green and Cecil Jones of the Boston Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police, and police departments from Boston, Manchester, Salem, Andover, Lawrence, Medford, Methuen, North Reading, Reading, Somerville and Stoneham and the many volunteers who helped make this ride a success.”
The Manchester Police Patrolman’s Association and the Manchester Association of Police Supervisors presented a plaque to the Cycling Club, “With our sincere thanks for your support in honoring the memory of Officer Michael Briggs.”
The 2007 Tour de Force Ride
On September 11, 2007, Boston area police officers joined officers from the New York City Police Department at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx to begin a four-day, 250 mile ride to Fenway Park in Boston. The purpose of the ride was to raise funds for the families of public safety personnel who sacrificed their lives during the 9/11 tragedy.
On September 14, the riders arrived at Fenway Park where they were greeted by Red Sox executives who provided a lunch on the right field roof deck and a tour of the ballpark. Later that evening, all riders were hosts of the Red Sox at the Yankees/Red Sox game.
A pre-game ceremony was held on the field and a dozen riders, wearing Red Sox and Yankee uniform shirts, were introduced to the crowd and received a warm welcome. To commemorate the 9/11 tragedy and to acknowledge the significance of the ride, the 6 Boston riders wore number “9” on the back of their shirts and the 6 New York riders wore the number “ll.” The riders lined up on the field so that the “9” and “11” were displayed side by side. We owe a debt of gratitude to the Boston Red Sox for their generosity in support of this ride. Thanks so much!
As a result of this ride, over $50,000 was raised to support the NYPD Widow’s and Children’s Fund and over $40,000 to support the MA Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation. Additional funds were raised to support the Boston Red Sox/Dana Farber Jimmy Fund, Curt’s (Boston Red Sox Pitcher Curt Schilling) Pitch for ALS and NYY Manager Joe Torre’s Safe at Home Fund.
Make sure you visit the photo gallery for some great pictures of both rides! Click Here