Bikers come together in memory of veteran

By Hailey Trealout

 

Rumbling motorcycle engines rode in memory of a young Windsorite killed in combat.

Cpl. Andrew Grenon was a 23-year-old veteran who was killed during his second tour in Afghanistan. He died September 3, 2008, two weeks before he was scheduled to return home.

Over 100 motorcycles participated in the 125 km scenic ride Sept. 15. They were escorted from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 261 to Branch 201 in Essex. The event was organized by Bob Papak and Kurt Drew to help raise money for Wounded Warriors Canada and the Military Family Resource Center.

“It was a poker ride so we had a small parade from this legion to the one in Essex,” said Papak.

“Then from there everyone dispersed through the poker run. At every stop you get a card. So at the end of the fifth stop, you get a poker hand. It raises money for Wounded Warriors and it was a lot of fun. It was a nice run, the guys loved it.”

Following the ride, the group was invited back at the legion for a dinner. There, members of Grenon’s family and Derrick Gleed, the vice chairman for Wounded Warriors Canada joined the event, filling the hall with approximately 200 people.

Grennon’s mother, Theresa Charbonneau said it was heart warming and overwhelming to see so many people attend the event in her son’s memory.

“Sept. 3^rd and Nov. the 11^th are obviously two of the most emotional days of the year for us now,” said Charbonneau.

“As much as it keeps the hurt fresh, it also keeps the support fresh. It keeps his memory alive and it helps me to fulfill my mission, which is now to teach Canada what we owe our veterans. Freedom is not free and it’s our veterans that paid the price for it.”