Greencastle-Antrim residents can cheer on 9/11 cyclists

Greencastle-Antrim residents will have the chance to cheer on a large group of wounded veterans who will be cycling through town Thursday, Sept. 15, as part of a tribute to the victims of 9/11.

Tony Everetts, commander of the Greencastle American Legion Post 373, said the around 350 cyclists, many who are wounded veterans, will be traveling through the area as part of the Ride to Recovery 9/11 American Challenge. The ride supports mental and physical rehabilitation for the country’s wounded veterans. The challenge ride segment going through this area begins at 8 a.m. in Gettysburg and is expected to end in Bedford. McConnellsburg will be the lunch stop.

Cyclists are expected to travel through Greencastle-Antrim on Route 16 between 9 and 10 a.m.

“We hope that residents here will come out to cheer the veterans on,” said Everetts.

“We want to show our support to the veterans.”

Everetts suggested that residents line the route and that businesses put up welcome signs for the riders to view.

The ride is being held in honor of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Participants include survivors, family members, and first responders from 9/11, along with wounded heroes from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The ride, that began on Sunday, Sept. 11 at Liberty State Park in view of the World Trade Center site, will last eight days and travel 530 miles. The course includes the United 93 Memorial in Shanksville, the Delaware River at Washington’s Crossing, Valley Forge and Gettysburg, before finishing at the Pentagon Memorial.