CLARK, NJ- The flocks of people registering and checking in, the sound of the motorcycles roaring down the street, it could only be the Blue Knights New Jersey III as they kicked off their Knights of the Woods event at the Deutscher Club on Sunday, August 5, 2018. By 9:00 a.m. the sound of motorcycles filled the air, as riders gathered and readied for the day ahead.
In the crowd were six motorcycle officers, 20 civilian road guards and an honor guard from Blue Knights Chapter VIII. A Union County and a Clark Police car, along with an ambulance were also on hand with their comrades.
There were local, federal and correction officers, both current and retired, from across the Tri-State Area, including people from New York and Pennsylvania, along with civilians participating in the day’s events.
While the day brings biker groups together as one, Clark resident Jeff Joy said the major focus is to give back to the community and create awareness and raise money for the Valerie Fund, which helps to benefit children with cancer and blood disorders.
Joy, the special events coordinator for the Clark event, has run the event for the past five years.
“This is an interaction between law enforcement in general with the community, especially in the way of which we’re doing things for the kids with cancer,” Joy said. “It’s not just about being a cop. It’s about being a part of the community and supporting the community.”
With the money raised at events like this one, the Valerie Fund also supports Camp Happy Times. This allows kids with cancer a chance to go to a camp for a week and get a break from the medical treatments.
“I’m trying to make an awareness of what the Valerie Fund is all about,” Joy said. “It’s a positive organization that serves kids with cancers and their families. It’s something where people who see the opportunity to get behind it should go and get it. They help children immensely.”
At about 10:15 a.m., the Marine Corps Honor Guard, from the unit, John Basilone Detachment No. 190, consisting of former marines, held a special ceremony with bagpipes playing, honoring the law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty.
Deacon Ed Campanella, from St. John the Apostle Church in Linden, helped deliver the prayers and blessings for all current, retired and deceased law enforcement officers. The bagpipers then played, “Amazing Grace” after a moment of silence was held for fallen military members. The pipers were from the Central Jersey Police and Fire Pipes and Drums
At about 10:45 a.m., the riders proceeded to their motorcycles as a series of flashing lights became the lead of all the motorcycles filing out of the Deutscher Club. The days 50-mile ride went through Union and Somerset Counties, up to the Watchung Reservation .
Full Coverage of the Blue Knights’ Knights in the Woods Here
