Led by a procession
of state and local policemen, more than 2000 motorcycle riders poured into the
back roads of
The foundation was
created to carry on the legacies of Jennifer Hawke-Petit, Hayley Petit, and
Michaela Petit, who were killed in a tragic home invasion in 2007.
Dr.
William Petit, the only survivor of the home invasion, thanked the participants
for their support as he remembered his wife and daughters.
"The foundation’s
mission statement is to remember Jennifer, Hayley and Michaela with idealism,
activism and kindness that they stood for. You know, two women and one little
girl without a… without a bad thought in their bodies. So… what you’re doing is
the kind of thing they would have been doing on Saturday or a Sunday," said Dr.
Petit.
According to event organizers, proceeds from the motorcycle ride,
estimated at $65,000, will benefit a variety of causes, including programs for
victims of violence, and chronic diseases, as well as educational programs,
especially for young women in the sciences.
Before and after the 38-mile
ride from
Marybelle
Hawke, Jennifer Hawke-Petit’s mother was overwhelmed by the number of people who
took part in the event.
“Jennifer would be shouting praises from heaven
to see this kind of response that’s happened. And the girls would not believe,
you know, they would just be totally amazed, " said
Hawke.
Hawke-Petit would have turned 52 on Sunday.
Dr. Petit
addressed the bikers a second time later in the day. He choked back tears as he
told a story about Michaela’s ability to stand up for little kids and to include
others. He was cheered on by the crowd of well-wishers.
All of the people
that spoke at the event said they supported the death penalty in this case. One
mother said, "I used to be really liberal and not believe one way or the other
but after hearing more about the facts I don’t think they should be given life
in prison. I think they should be sentenced to death, because they caused
death."
Brian Blackwell
http://www.brian-blackwell.com/2010/09/foundation-ride-to-honor-petit-family.html