RALLY FOR TROOPS SUNDAY APRIL 19, 2009 IN DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND

RALLY FOR TROOPS SUNDAY APRIL 19, 2009 IN DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND

7th Annual Rally for Troops, Sunday April 19, 2009, in Downtown Cleveland Public Square from 11 AM to 12 NOON. Free parking at all Tower City parking lots. Anticipate over 2000 motorcyclist from various Harley Davidson Dealerships in NE Ohio will meet at 8:30 AM and depart at 9:30 AM in a processional ride to downtown Cleveland Ohio to attend the Rally. Jim Mantel of WGAR will MC the ceremony and Monica Robins of WKYC will sing the National Anthem.

Public is encouraged to attend to express their support for our veterans, active military and families of Ohio’s 192 Fallen Heroes. Please plan on arriving around 10 AM as traffic will be an issue in downtown due to the Rally.

Speakers include family members of three Ohio’s Fallen Heroes. Due to the extended tours of duty from 12 months to 15/18 months the suicide rate for returning veterans is reaching record highs. We lost an estimated 65 returning veterans to suicide in the first three months of 2009, more than in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan. Representative of the VA will be present with materials to educate the public on how to deal with PTSD issues. There will be a reading of the names of Ohio’s 192 Fallen Heroes, followed by a 21 gun salute, taps and the Cleveland Firefighters Memorial Pipes and Drums playing Amazing Grace.

2009 Rally Pins and Patches will be sold at the Rally, with proceeds to American Veterans with Brain Injuries (avbi.org) and Ghost Riders Foundation (ghostridersfoundation.org). Both organizations deal with education and support for veterans with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and suicide issues.

Post Rally food and entertainment will be available at Harley Davidson Sales Company 14550 Lorain Road Cleveland Ohio from 12:30 to 3:00 PM. Donations will be accepted for both AVBI and Ghost Riders Foundation and are greatly appreciated.

For more information contact John “KIKS” Kikol Rally organizer at 440-327-6966 (office) 440-263-8121 (cell) or kiksharley@aol.c