Warwick resident joins firefighters bike ride to Pentagon for 911

Warwick — Their slogan is, “We will never forget,” and on the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon their brotherhood is strong. It’s called: “The FDNY 343 Ride.” On Sunday, Sept, 11, 25 firefighters from New York City’s Engine 50, Ladder 19 and Battalion 26 will arrive at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., after a 343-mile bike ride originating in Montauk Point on the eastern tip of Long Island. Among the group is Warwick resident Eddie Boller, a firefighter at Engine 50 in the South Bronx. Although he had been busy removing a huge tree that fell on his house during Tropical Storm Irene, Boller still managed to join the group at Montauk Point for the start of the bike ride on Wednesday, Sept. 7. And the number of miles traveled is significant. “We will be riding a mile for every firefighter who died on that dreadful day, 343 in all,” said Boller. “And the proceeds from the money we are raising will be going to wounded veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan.” The objective for each day’s ride will be to pass through Ground Zero and then reach objective stopovers at Tom’s River, New Jersey, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware and Annapolis, Maryland. Boller and his fellow bikers will finally arrive at the Pentagon this Sunday, Sept. 11. “It’s been 10 years and it’s important that we don’t forget what happened,” said NYFD Capt. Mike Alexander during a recent interview on WPIX (Channel 11) TV about his firehouse’s bike ride. The fund-raising goal for wounded veterans is $100,000. For additional information or to make a donation visit: www.fdny343ride.com.