More than 300 motorcycles buzzed through Gainesville’s streets Sunday morning as part of Bikers on Parade.
The event, which was put on to support American Hometown Veterans Assist, started at Santa Fe College and ended at Auto Plus Raceway. Bikers took a police-escorted, 15-mile route down Northwest 39th Avenue. After the ride, people sipped on Budweiser and feasted on barbecue sandwiches.
Jim Conner, 70, of Wellborn, Florida, rode his red motorcycle in the parade with his Australian cattle dog, Jeep, in the sidecar. Conner served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War.
“I think it’s great,” the 70-year-old said. “These guys need all the help they can get after all they’ve gone through.”
Chuck Wilder helped start the nonprofit organization after his son-in-law returned from Iraq paralyzed and missing a leg in 2004.
Beau Crevasse, who has been with the organization for a few years, wanted to bring the event back to Gainesville after it stopped in 2009. This year, they raised more than $100,000.
Michael Christensen, a 60-year-old carpenter from Branford, Florida, rode his purple Harley named “the Buffalo Heifer,” in remembrance of his brother and father who served in the U.S. Navy.
Christensen said organizations like American Hometown Veterans Assist are a blessing to veterans.
“I appreciate it so much,” he said. “You see vets injured all the time who need help, but think of the people who didn’t come back. Things like this make it a little better for everyone.”
[A version of this story ran on page 9 on 11/10/2014]
