One participant
shares the awe she found in attending this year's Ride for Justice on Oct.
2.
·
October 7, 2011
The
following editorial was submitted by reader Vanessa Stevens. Photographs were
all taken by Peter DeFazio.
On
Sunday, Oct. 2, the Petit Family Foundation held their second annual
(Motorcycle) Ride for Justice.
Although those who watched the news
coverage early that morning saw darkened skies and rain,
the sun was shining brightly by noon as the riders rode the
thirty-four mile long scenic stretch through prime Connecticut Fall foliage
towns of
I was standing in a crowded parking lot of bikers and others
ready to show support, grateful for the unexpected nice weather, and guessing
the “power of good” was what could have been the only thing that made the
weather smile on us all, when out of nowhere a monarch butterfly fluttered into
view and flitted above the shiny red Harley Davidson motorcycle just feet in
front of where I stood.
Butterflies are a symbol of
transformation and their often “out-of-the-blue” appearances and mystique brings
a sense of peace and serenity, a spiritual nod that we are doing something right
in the world.
The Ride for Justice event, now
having seen its second successful year, was the idea of long-time rider Ron
Catucci and his friends Keith Stack. Upon hearing the idea, long-time Petit family friend Vincent Trantolo offered the assistance
of his firm, Trantolo and Trantolo, LLC. They were instrumental in organizing
the event and securing generous help from Yankee Harley Davidson and
Not missing a step, Ryan
Lucas, the Manager of the Southington
Outback Steak House stepped in and offered to do “whatever
it takes” to help. The “whatever it takes” resulted in enough food (juicy
chicken or steaks, fresh salad, and hearty bread rolls) for 4,000
people.
The timing of the charity event, conveniently taking place in the
middle of each trial of convicts Steven Hayes and currently Joshua Komisarjevsky
could not have come at a better time. When some of us wonder how Dr. Petit can
get out of bed each morning, there is an awe-inspiring show of support.
In the words of Dr. Petit, who
borrows these words from his father-in-law, a Methodist minister, “just being
there” is the most important, meaningful and simple show of support anyone can
do and just being there is what so many have done to help make the Ride for
Justice events so successful.
At the launch site, riders and others
gathered for coffee and Munchkins provided by Dunkin' Donuts and all enjoyed
live music provided by Noah Lis followed by Face4Radio band.
After the
scenic ride, where even Dr. Petit himself hopped on a bike as a passenger
because his car got blocked in at the launch site, bikers rode under a raised
American flag to celebrate their ride, feast on the barbecue-style food provided
by Outback Steakhouse, and be entertained by Shake That and The Happening
bands.
Thanks to all the volunteers who helped to make this day special
once again.
In the words of Norm LeBlanc, Trantolo and Trantolo bike
run spokesperson, "large amounts of people all coming together for the power of
good can move mountains" and he says make it your goal to bring one friend with
you next year.
Together we’ll watch the numbers grow as the Ride for
Justice continues to be an example of the true
outpouring of the power of good.
-Vanessa Stevens
http://southington.patch.com/articles/the-power-of-a-simple-act#photo-8029727