"Flight" to Shanksville

September 11, 2011 will mark the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States – as well as the heroic actions of the passengers and crew of United Flight 93 who perished while taking action to defend their country.

When Cletus Scalo rides his 1994 Harley Fat Boy out of his driveway the day before, he’ll be doing his part to make sure their sacrifice is not forgotten.

Scalo, who owns Total Technology Integration in Middlesex Township, is participating in a memorial event called the Let’s Roll Flight 93 Memorial Ride, a two-day motorcycle ride to commemorate the passengers and crew of Flight 93 and raise funds for the $58 million national memorial that already is under construction.

Scalo is serving as captain of the Cranberry-area “flight” – one of nine groups of 40 bikes each that will converge on the Shanskville memorial site on September 11 from six “flight” paths.

The other groups will come from Erie, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Meadville/Conneaut Lake, Williamsport, and Pottsville.

The Manufacturer and Business Association, a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit employers’ association, is organizing the event statewide.  In Western Pennsylvania, the organization is partnering with SMC Business Councils to solicit participation and sponsorship for the Pittsburgh and Cranberry flights.

So far, the Cranberry flight has secured 10 riders and the sponsorship of The Chamber and restaurant.

Scalo has visited the Shanksville crash site before and called it “sobering.” The memorial ride is a way for him to combine his love of motorcycles with a desire to serve his community.

“I’m a Rotarian so helping in the community and raising money for a good cause is something I feel like I’m in tune with,” he said.

Each rider is required to raise $1000 to join a flight. Organizations or individuals can sponsor a rider or group of riders. All monies raised will go directly to the Flight 93 National Memorial Campaign. The Cranberry flight currently has 30 available spots.

Each bike will bear a memorial flag with the name of the 40 passengers of Flight 93. All riders from around the state will meet in the Somerset area on September 10 for a pre-ride gathering. 

On September 11, they will ride together to the Flight 93 National Memorial site for a service to dedicate the first phase of the memorial.

Scalo said his first goal is to fill up his flight.

“Then I’ll keep raising money from there and see what happens,” he said.

For more information on the Let’s Roll Flight 93 Memorial Ride, visit www.letsrollride.com or call Gretchen Stokes, Director, Membership and Business Development, SMC Business Councils at 412-342-1609.  For information on joining the Cranberry flight, contact Cletus Scalo at 724-586-1109 or cscalo@ttintegrate.com.