METHUEN - More than 100 motorcycles lined the Methuen Veterans of Foreign Wars parking lot yesterday, chrome gleaming in the sun and American flags fluttering in the breeze as the leather-clad riders socialized over fried chicken and barbecue.
The motorcyclists had just finished a ride through Methuen, Dracut, Pelham, N.H., and Salem, N.H. Their $20 entry fee will fund repairs at the VFW post, which desperately needs a new roof.
About three-quarters of the riders are veterans, and a variety of veteran and civilian motorcycle clubs were represented. For many riders at the Methuen VFW Motorcycle Rally, the fundraiser was one of a dozen they will participate in this year.
"I think it's just the veterans' way," said Bob Karasinski of Somerville, who brought along 13 others from the American Legion Riders of Somerville. Many veterans join motorcycle clubs for the camaraderie of the rally rides and with the goal of helping local and national causes, he said.
Many motorcycles were adorned with patriotic or military-related decals. One maroon Harley-Davidson featured a detailed painting of the iconic raising of the flag at Iwo Jima and the message, "To our men and women in uniform, past, present and future ...Thank you." Others were stenciled with red, white and blue designs, and American flags on the bike seemed practically a prerequisite.
A number of military-related events marked the ride. Two female World War II veterans - Methuen resident Sara Payne Hayden of the Women Airforce Service Pilots and Mary Habib of Salem, N.H., a cartographer during the Battle of Iwo Jima - began the race by announcing, "Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines!"
Chris Peatridge of Boston flew a Vietnam-era plane and Jim Baker, a veteran from Boxford, piloted a World War II-era aircraft during a flyover before the riders took off.
Peatridge often flies for commemorative veterans events. "It's just to remind people that, for the lack of a better way to say it, this cold beer I have today is because men and women, back when, gave all they had," he said. "What they did for us then, we need to do for them today."
The motorcyclists stopped at Elmwood Cemetery in Methuen, where the North Andover Veterans of Foreign Wars honor guard and Clan Macpherson bagpipers honored David Vicente, a Methuen native who was killed in Iraq in 2004. They also saluted missing Army Spc. Alex Jimenez of Lawrence.
The motorcyclists had just finished a ride through Methuen, Dracut, Pelham, N.H., and Salem, N.H. Their $20 entry fee will fund repairs at the VFW post, which desperately needs a new roof.
About three-quarters of the riders are veterans, and a variety of veteran and civilian motorcycle clubs were represented. For many riders at the Methuen VFW Motorcycle Rally, the fundraiser was one of a dozen they will participate in this year.
"I think it's just the veterans' way," said Bob Karasinski of Somerville, who brought along 13 others from the American Legion Riders of Somerville. Many veterans join motorcycle clubs for the camaraderie of the rally rides and with the goal of helping local and national causes, he said.
Many motorcycles were adorned with patriotic or military-related decals. One maroon Harley-Davidson featured a detailed painting of the iconic raising of the flag at Iwo Jima and the message, "To our men and women in uniform, past, present and future ...Thank you." Others were stenciled with red, white and blue designs, and American flags on the bike seemed practically a prerequisite.
A number of military-related events marked the ride. Two female World War II veterans - Methuen resident Sara Payne Hayden of the Women Airforce Service Pilots and Mary Habib of Salem, N.H., a cartographer during the Battle of Iwo Jima - began the race by announcing, "Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines!"
Chris Peatridge of Boston flew a Vietnam-era plane and Jim Baker, a veteran from Boxford, piloted a World War II-era aircraft during a flyover before the riders took off.
Peatridge often flies for commemorative veterans events. "It's just to remind people that, for the lack of a better way to say it, this cold beer I have today is because men and women, back when, gave all they had," he said. "What they did for us then, we need to do for them today."
The motorcyclists stopped at Elmwood Cemetery in Methuen, where the North Andover Veterans of Foreign Wars honor guard and Clan Macpherson bagpipers honored David Vicente, a Methuen native who was killed in Iraq in 2004. They also saluted missing Army Spc. Alex Jimenez of Lawrence.
"We're here to give this post anything they want," said North Andover VFW Vice Commander Steve Loiselle. "And anything for the Jimenez family."
Many veterans rode with exclusive motorcycle clubs such as the Marine Corps League Riding Platoon, where all members must be Marines or associates of the Marine Corps League.
Joe Furtado of Lynn, one of the group's members, said his club and others like it ride in military funerals and attend other rallies benefiting veterans causes. In August, they will participate in a veterans ride every weekend.
The 30 or so nonveterans who made the trip to Methuen for the ride count this VFW fundraiser as one of many they do.
"A lot of people have the wrong impressions of motorcyclists," said Frank George of Methuen, a member of the World No Rules Riders. While he sported the tattoos, leather vest and handlebar mustache many associate with motorcycles, George and his club ride in about a dozen charity events each year.
While part of a motorcycle club's draw is to join with others who share a common interest, George said, a major mission of the 2,000-member World No Rules Riders is to raise money for good causes.
"This was an awesome event. For their first one, these guys did a great job," said George, who has been riding for 35 years.
David Goulet, who coordinated the event, was unsure of the total amount raised, but registration fees alone brought in at least $2,500. Volunteers also sold food and T-shirts, and solicited money through a 50-50 raffle. But for many who attended, the money was secondary to the show of support for a veterans cause.
"Just coming here to see this, it really is a spectacle," Loiselle said.
