10th Annual Memorial Bike Ride enefiting the Tennessee Fallen Firefighter Memorial
The Tennessee Firemen’s Association (TFA) recently announced September 14 as its date for the 10th Annual Shady Brady Memorial Bike/Jeep Ride benefiting the Tennessee Fallen Firefighter Memorial located in Bell Buckle, Tennessee.
The ride begins at 730 a.m. from three separate locations—Sparta Fire Department (715 N Spring Street, Sparta, Tennessee), Benton County Rescue Squad (295 Factory Street, Camden, Tennessee), and First Tennessee Pavilion Parking (1826 Reggie White Boulevard, Chattanooga, Tennessee) and culminates together at the Tennessee Fire and Codes Enforcement Academy located at 2161 Unionville Deason Road in Bell Buckle. Participation in the ride is only $25 per bike or vehicle.
“We hope this year is the ride’s most successful year yet,” said TFA President Jason Driver. “It’s always a good time, and it’s for a very good cause.”
The ride was originally created by the late Barry Brady who has become a legendary name in the Tennessee fire service. Brady’s unfortunate battle with colon cancer sparked a movement to pass The Barry Brady Act (2019) which allowed firefighters to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits if they were diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, colon cancer, skin cancer or multiple myeloma—leukemia and testicular cancer were later added to the coverage list.
Brady, TFA President 2018, served on the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Fallen Firefighter Memorial. He always advocated for unique ways to raise money for the memorial for its upkeep and maintenance, as well as for families that were affected by firefighter deaths in the state of Tennessee. Since its inception, the ride has raised nearly $38,000 for the memorial.
Dawn Morrison Brady, Barry’s widow said, “It warms my heart that we continue to have such a big draw to this event each year. Barry would be so proud that this event has continued to be a success and provides significant income to the memorial.”
Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the ride, the Tennessee Firemen’s Association and sponsors NAFECO, VFIS, and Siddons-Martin created a commemorative medal. If you are interested in purchasing one of the medals, contact [email protected]. On Scene Emergency Services is another valued sponsor of the event.
To find out more about how you can join in on the fun, visit tnfiremen.com and head over to the Shady Brady Ride page, or follow us on the Shady Brady Ride Facebook page.
