NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The eighth annual Patriot Tour, a 100-day, 14,000-mile journey during which motorcycle riders carry one American flag city-to-city through all 48 continental states to raise money for wounded veterans and their families, launched Saturday, May 27 from Harley-Davidson of Madison, in Madison, Wisconsin.
More than 150,000 riders nationwide, including many from throughout New York, are expected to participate in the 2017 Patriot Tour that departs Mt. Ephraim, NJ, heading to New Rochelle, NY on August 18. The tour passes through New Rochelle as follows:
August 18: New Rochelle (Empire Harley-Davidson, 8 Industrial Ln)
The Tour’s ETA to Empire Harley-Davidson is between noon and 1 p.m. On August 19, the Tour will depart New Rochelle for Ellington, CT and beyond.
“It’s important for people to understand that every dollar they contribute to this effort is put directly into the hands of wounded vets and their families,” Sherer said. “The Nation of Patriots is an entirely volunteer organization so 100 percent of the money raised benefits those for whom it is intended.” In 2016 more than $170,000 was raised and distributed to families of wounded veterans in Wisconsin and across the U.S. This year’s goal is $200,000, Sherer said, and contributions of any size are welcome at www.nationofpatriots.com.
Riders are welcome to join the Tour at any point along the way and ride for as long as they care to, Sherer said.
“The Patriot Tour is a unified tribute to each and every one of our nation’s veterans, military personnel and their families,” he said. “We understand their sacrifices and stand in awe of the contributions they have made and do make every day so that all Americans may walk free, live free, be free.”
On Saturday, September 9 the flag returns to Wisconsin, landing first at Harley-Davidson of Madison then traveling 40 miles north to Beaver Dam. After a parade through Beaver Dam’s downtown it will move to the Dodge County Fairgrounds, for the homecoming ceremony and celebration. A complete routing schedule for the flag can be found at www.nationofpatriots.com/tour/stops.
