Police Unity Tour - A Personal Connection, A Worthy Cause

I've written about my youngest brother a number of times.  Posts I thought were funny.  Posts that were a tad more serious.  And he's contributed more than just a few times to Brutally Honest as a commenter.

A few days back he asked if I might publicize something he's involved himself with.  And after checking into it, there's no way I would say no.

Mike will be participating in this year's Police Unity Tour:

The Police Unity Tour was founded in 1997 by Officer Patrick Montuore of the Florham Park, NJ Police Department.  The idea was simple, Pat wanted to help raise money for the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial by gathering together several law enforcement officers and riding their police mountain bikes from New Jersey to the site of the Memorial in Washington D.C.  Since then it has grown into an annual event that has delivered over a million dollars to the Memorial Fund, making it the largest private and/or corporate sponsor of the Memorial!

The Police Unity Tour currently has eight chapters located in New Jersey (North I and South II), Ohio (III), Virginia (IV), California, Maryland, Florida (VIII), and New York.

Mike plans to ride with the Virginia chapter and needs to raise a minimum of $1250 to  make the 200 mile plus ride.  Here's where I'm hoping some of you will come in and there's a number of ways you can help.

You could go to this site where you have the choice of donating online via PayPal or where you can pledge a donation and mail your contribution in.  Either way, please be sure to contribute in my little brother's name (Mike Rice). 

You could also contribute right here at Brutally Honest by clicking at either of my tip jars (the Amazon Honor System link or my own PayPal button just below the Amazon link).  I'll be sure to earmark those contributions toward the Memorial Fund.

He (and I) would be most grateful for any and all contributions, no matter how small.  I believe it to be a most worthy cause:

The National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial is a tribute to all federal, state and local law enforcement officers.  Engraved on it's blue-gray marble walls are the names of over 15,000 officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.  More than 75 of those names are of Hampton Roads area officers who died serving their communities. The Memorial Fund receives no government or taxpayer revenue, instead it relies on the contributions of organizations such as ours and individuals such as yourself.  We strongly encourage you to stop by the Memorial the next time you are visiting Washington D.C.  Check out their web site too!

To my fellow bloggers, I ask that you please consider linking to this post from your own sites.

My brother and I thank you in advance.

Comments

[Gene]

Rick--tell your brother he can place a free ad on my site as well. Or get in touch with me and just give me the html and link. I'm always willing to help out a fellow officer...

[J. Medina]

Memorial Ride

On May 26, 2005, at approximately 0300 hours, I will depart from Jacksonville Beach on a bicycle ride that will take me south along the east coast of Florida; from Jacksonville Beach to Key West. The purpose of my ride is to Honor America’s fallen officers and to bring awareness to the organizations listed below. How can you support this ride? Cut and paste this entire memo and forward it to your family and friends.
Thank you for supporting the following organizations.

National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund
http://www.nleomf.com/

http://www.nleomf.com/tellFriends.html

Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.)
http://www.nationalcops.org/

Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc
http://www.odmp.org/

[Bonnie]

Love how this is set up! Interested and have already contacted (hopefully) the right people to create a new chapter for CT.

I would love to be able to track donations like you are doing for your brother.

Would you be willing to share your expertise with me as I am new to the web and how it can help.

Thanks,

Bonnie

[jessica rittenhouse-miller]

how cool! i just stumbled upon your site when i was looking up COPS and the Police Unity Tour...i am also riding this year in honor of my brother (officer Matt Rittenhouse EOW 9-16-04). An officer from Jersey rode in his honor last year and i can only imagine how even more special it will be this year. tell your brother good luck...and thanks for what he's doing!
all the best,
jessica

[Mike R.]

Jessica,

This is Rick's younger brother. I would like to say how sorry I am for the loss of your brother Matt. I had the honor to ride in the Police Unity Tour in 2005 out of Chesapeake, VA. I rode in memory of Officer Ruse of Pendegrass, GA and was privileged to meet his wife and daughters at the memorial. I have to say the experience, although sad, was one of the best of my life. I was able to witness the true meaning of family and what it takes to make the ultimate sacrifice for your fellow man.

I also learned that the unspoken heros are the families and friends of the officers who lost their lives. I met so many that gave me thanks for what I was doing, but you are the ones that need to be thanked and praised for your sacrifice. Heros like your brother are able to put on the uniform and do a dangerous job because they have family members and loved ones that support and influence them.

So, thank you Jessica for what you are doing. God bless you and your family. I truly believe your brother is smiling down on you and I have no doubt you will feel that connection during your journey on the tour.

I wish I could paticipate this year, but I am on deployment with the Coast Guard Reserves in Cuba and will not be home in time. Please feel free to leave contact information so I can get some donations your way for the ride. God bless and take care.

Mike R.

[jessica]

mike,

hi. i just stumbled across this page once again and read the comment you returned from about 2 years ago. i completed the unity tour in 2006 with a dear friend who rode in honor of my brother the first year. i also rode this past year (2007) and this time brought along a couple of my brother's friends with me. what an experience. i left for california in january and will not be able to ride this year. i will miss it, but may be back on the rode with the group next year. i will be in dc though cheering them on as they arrive.
hope all is well with you.

peace~

jessica rittenhouse