We Salute You
By Cynthia Coons
Veterans Columnist
What comes to your mind when you mention the Motorcycle community? For many people, we immediately envision scenes from television shows like “Sons of Anarchy.” While very entertaining, and possibly accurate to the extent of Hollywood writing, nothing could be farther from the truth when it comes to the Patriot Riders of America.
I am a proud member of this organization, along with my husband and fellow “brothers and sisters,” who loyally wear the patch on our vests. We represent New Jersey Chapter 1, founded in September of 2016 by current President Chris Schelin, a U.S. Navy Veteran and Vice President Bill Beall, a U.S. Air Force Veteran. The Patriot Riders of America currently has 13 chapters in the United States, all devoted to the same cause: adhering to our mission statement, which outlines the responsibility to our American veterans and the people in our community, supporting the Constitution of the United States, the right to freedom, motorcycle safety and supporting our fellow members.
Many Patriot Riders of America members are veterans, disabled veterans, active duty military, law enforcement, first responders, or sons and daughters of veterans. All members volunteer their time and efforts to the organization. The meetings and most of the events are held at the Cardiff Memorial VFW Post 8098 where many members are also affiliated with the American Legion, AmVets and DAV organizations.
Most recently the Patriot Riders, partnered with the Cardiff VFW Auxiliary, held the first annual Chicken BBQ. Veterans from Vineland Veterans home and Meadowview Veterans home were guests of honor, transported to the VFW Post 8098, along with their nurses’ aids, all paid for by donations collected by the ticket sales and raffle money raised from the chicken barbecue. Every member participated in this event, either collecting money from the community through ticket sales, donating baskets for the raffle, making and serving food, or playing live music. Members of the Massachusetts Patriot Riders, Chapter 6 showed their support by attending the barbecue, including a Gold Star Mother. Tracy Taylor was honored for her son’s Ultimate sacrifice, U.S. Army SPC Kenneth Iwasinski, who was killed in action in Iraq 10 years to the day of this event. Members of other local Motorcycle groups also showed their support by not only attending the barbecue, but also giving generous donations to the cause.
We also honored one of our guests by giving him something he had not experienced, but always dreamed of: a ride on a motorcycle. He started out in our VP’s Slingshot, not sure if he could handle the full extent of two wheels, but to the delight of all, he handled the ride like a true warrior!
This fundraiser, as well as all fundraising efforts, allows the Patriot Riders to continue to donate 100 percent of all proceeds to larger veteran, law enforcement, first responder and community 501(C)3 organizations. Every donation is used toward these events to raise money for the heroes in our community.
It will forever be embedded in my heart, the looks upon the faces of so many of our veterans, great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters and friends. All who gave something of themselves, bigger than all of us- the opportunity for freedom, democracy, the American way. Because of them, I am free. We are free.
I am a proud member of New Jersey, Chapter 1 Patriot Riders of America. If you would like more information about this organization, or are interested in becoming a member, please call 609-365-8615.
Cynthia and her husband Bryan Coons live in Egg Harbor Township. She is a member of the Patriot Riders of America.
