Unity Tour Arrives in DC!

We arrived in DC on Sunday with cool temperatures and a great headwind courtesy of our fallen brother, Larry (for those who follow this, I also call Larry 'Headwind', as he is always there on my training rides). The city turned out to welcome all the 1700+ tour riders.

Once at the memorial, we learned that thanks to everyone's support, over 1.72 million was raised this year. I say 'over 1.72 million' as during the presentation, the New Jersey Police Benevolent Association added to the total with an addition $25,000 check!!

Thanks again to everyones support this year. A big special thanks to my parents who flew from Arizona to Michigan to watch my son during the school week then drove him to DC so we could all be together during Police Week! And another huge thanks to Paul and Trudie who opened up their beautiful house and hosted us during our stay.

Be safe everyone. Remember Larry and Patrick.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Day 3...Rained Out

We all assembled early this morning (7:00AM) ready to ride despite the rain and gloomy weather-radar images. We learned shortly thereafter that today's ride had been canceled as their were lighting strikes located on/near some of the pre planned routes. Everyone was disappointed. Despite the weather, despite be tired from the day before, we wanted to ride, to remember and to honor our fallen brothers and sisters.

The Chief Brother, the creator of the Police Unity Tour (Pat Montuore), made a brave call to cancel the ride today and keep us all safe!

We will all ride tomorrow, into DC, with strength, unity and rememberebce!!!

We ride for those who died!! Larry and Pat, see you tomorrow.

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Day 2....Community support

Often times for those of us in law enforcement, we see the worst and only see appreciation when tradgedy strikes at one of us. Today, I was able to see appreciation from 'everyday' people along our 76+ mile route from NJ to the City of Brotherly Love, Philly. People honking, waiving (with all their fingers), shouting and wishing us well. My brothers and sisters in LE...and THEIR families were shown love, support and appreciation. A great day!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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More pictures from Day 1 from Steve Seiser

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Day 1, 2013

First day of riding with the 800 riders of Chapter 1/New Jersey. The day started out dark, cloudy and steady rain. Everyone's spirits were high knowing the importance and meaning of today! The rain stopped befor noon but not before a rider almost was taken out by a deer crossing the street. Scrapes to the rider, who stayed up on the bike, the deer didn't stick around.

The weather broke around noon and we saw lighter clouds and some sun. The towns of Morrison, Bridgewater and Summerset turned out to cheer us on. School, kids chanting "U-S-A, U-S-A..." and slapping our hands when we rode by.

We also had a flyover with the NJ State Police medevac helicopter. A beast of a helicopter that was low enough that we felt the strong rotor wash! Thanks for everyone's continued support.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Police Unity Tour 5-8-2013

Arrived in East Hanover, NJ today in prep for the 2013 Police Unity Tour! My travel companion is Steve Seiser, an officer with the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (we road together last year). We broke up the trip down between two days and then upon arrival here, unloaded the car and completed some errands for tomorrow. The morning starts at 7:30AM with loading luggage, breakfast then a mass start at 9:00AM. We ride from East Hanover to Sommerset, NJ. 45% chance of thunder storms.

Couple photos so far...thanks for everyone's support!

 

 

 

 

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The First Annual Officer Larry Nehasil, Memorial Pump and Run is coming up quick!  May 18th, 2013 in Livonia, Michigan!  Register now by going here -------->  http://register.superiortiming.com/Search/event.aspx?id=19946

Please visit and share the created facebook pages for these fallen heros:

Patrick O'Rourke

https://www.facebook.com/OfficerPatrickORourke

Larry Nehasil

https://www.facebook.com/pages/In-Memory-of-Officer-Larry-Nehasil/192801020730633