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Ride for Our Heroes: New England Biker Community Rides to Support Veterans and Families

09-09-2011

New England-area motorcycle enthusiasts are kick starting their bikes and riding in the first Ride for Our Heroes on Saturday September 24. Ride for Our Heroes supports the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program's services for veterans and families affected by combat stress and traumatic brain injury. The Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program provides clinical care and support services to service members and veterans of the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, throughout New England, who are affected by combat stress and traumatic brain injury (TBI) - the "invisible wounds of war." Home Base also provides counseling for families; education for clinicians and community members; and research in the understanding and treatment of PTSD and TBI.The Ride for Our Heroes will kick-off at six locations - one in each New England state - with special guest speakers, military leaders, celebrities and an opening ceremony. Riders will finish the trip with a celebratory "Rider Appreciation" party at the Manchester Harley-Davidson dealership in Manchester, New Hampshire which offers a 16-acre site for a complimentary BBQ, family entertainment, live music, and raffle."The biker community has a long history of riding to support veterans through its annual Rolling Thunder event which raises awareness of POWs and MIAs and supports veterans' services. We hope the Ride for Our Heroes can become another great tradition to honor those who suffer from the "invisible wounds of war"-post traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. We are honored to work with the biker community on this event," said John Parrish, MD, Director of the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program.As part of Ride for Our Heroes, the Home Base Program will be raffling off a custom-designed Home Base and baseball-themed Dirico Motorcycle that features an autograph by Aerosmith music legend and co-founder of Dirico Motorcycles, Steven Tyler. "The Ride for Our Heroes has all the right elements for New England-area bikers; a tremendous cause of serving veterans and families, six starting locations so all bikers in New England can participate, food and fun activities for family members, and a bike raffle. We are delighted to be part of it," said Steve Talarico, President of Manchester Harley-Davidson and Dirico Motorcycles. Riding is not a requirement to support the event. Supporters who do not wish to ride may attend the post-ride BBQ by purchasing tickets on line. For those interested in showing their support for the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program, donations can be made online. To pre-register for the ride, purchase motorcycle raffle tickets, purchase event BBQ tickets, make a donation or learn more, please visit www.homebaseprogram.org/rideforourheroes.For veterans and family members who want more information about the Red Sox Foundation and Mass General Hospital Home Base Program, or to schedule a confidential appointment, please call 617-724-5202, email homebaseprogram@partners.org or visit www.homebaseprogram.org.