Cleveland 100 President Brenda Lawson and board members Mayor Emeritus Tom Rowland and Judge Sandra Donaghy posed among some of the Bradley/Roughneck Motorcycle Club members and riders taking part Saturday in the 2021 Operation Hero Ride. This photo was taken just as cyclists prepared to take off for the annual ride, which benefits Cleveland 100.
Members of the Bradley/Meigs RedNeck Motorcycle Club joined Cleveland 100 board members and dozens of motorcycle riders for the fourth Operation Hero event on Saturday.
Proceeds from the ride benefited Cleveland 100 and East Brainerd Church of Christ Snack Pack Program.
Riders gathered near Applebee’s a Restaurant on Paul Huff Parkway and were joined by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Bradley County Sheriff, Cleveland Fire Department, Bradley County Fire and Rescue and Cleveland Police Department.
The agencies each brought emergency vehicles and gave the riders a send off and thank you for their support of Cleveland 100.
With kickstands up at 10 a.m., the motorcyclists left for a a trip to portions of Polk County, then back to Cleveland where they ended the ride with a brief pause, prayer and reflection at the Memorial Wall at Five Points. Danny Fay, founder of Operation Hero, led a brief prayer and tribute to the names on the wall, remembering local emergency responders and men and women in the military.
Many of the club members and riders were past and/or present emergency services members.
Conclusion of the Operation Hero Ride was at Five Points Memorial Wall with a prayer and reflection in tribute of emergency services personnel who died in the line of duty. From left: Mayor Emeritus Tom Rowland, Joe Fusco and Danny Fay of Bradley/RoughNecks Motorcycle Club and Brenda Lawson, president of Cleveland 100.