Northfield’s Veterans’ Place celebrated their second Annual Motorcycle Ride and BBQ to support Veterans’ place last Sunday. The destination point was Plumley Armory, on the campus of Norwich University and getting there was at least half the fun. Starting at noon a parade of nearly motorcycles followed a Northfield Fire Truck piloted by Fire Chief Pete Demasi in a parade through town. The bikers assembled near the I-89 exit and wound their way down mill Hill down to the Common & up Central Street. They then separated from the Fire Truck and drove around the track at Sabine Field parking their bikes on the southeast corner of the track in an impressive row. That end of Sabine Field took on the look of a used motorcycle lot with bikes of all types, shapes and sizes for all to see.

The mood was light hearted and upbeat inside the Armory as the bikers from all over the state entered to enjoy some light snacks and fun conversation before digging into the hamburgers and hot dogs prepared by Northfield’s Sons of The American Legion chapter on their grill that they had set up outside near where the bikes were parked on Sabine field. The object of the fun day was to raise funds for the Veteran’s Place, a temporary living place for homeless veterans.

While there was fun all around, Stephen Weston, the current President of the Board of Directors took a moment for some reflection on how The Veterans’ place came about and the people who made this fund raiser possible. “ I really want to thank the “Vermont Thunder and the Combat Motorcycle Veterans 26-2 Motorcycle clubs for their participation and the Northfield Son’s of The American Legion as our Primary sponsor last year and again this year. I also want to remember that the idea behind this was the creation of Richard “Doc” Schroeder, who passed away last year. Through his efforts The Veteran’s place became a reality. His Idea was to have a place where displaced veterans could come and turn their lives around,” President Weston said.

Karen Boyce, Administrative Manager of The Veterans’ Place was very pleased with the turn out. “ I’m ecstatic ,” she said. “The weather cooperated this year.” That was a recurring theme. Northfield’s Mark Martin who braved the downpour on his bike a year ago put it very succinctly: “It’s a lot dryer this year, and a lot warmer too,” he said.

It wasn’t really hard to get bikers to attend. They have been known to drive great distances on the smallest of excuses. “ I have driven 100 miles for a cup of coffee,” said Scott Reed, The Chapter Commander of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Vt. 26-2. “So coming from St. Albans to help veterans was no problem,” he added.

The bottom line was that nearly 100 people had a great time as that gathered together last Sunday to support a good cause.