Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – One of the things Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher says she remembers the most about 9/11, is how people came together, and how people did their jobs to help everyone else.

“Our first responders, our firefighters, and our police officers, ran into harm’s way,” said Buscher.  “From there, our U.S. military picked up the pieces to help fight for America.  So, let’s take a moment to thank our veterans, and all of our armed forces.”

That’s part of how the mayor kicked off Sunday’s “9/11 Ride to Remember,” from Hall’s Harley Davidson on the city’s northeast side, to the memorial at the Capitol Complex downtown.

Buscher says she also remembers how political differences didn’t seem to matter for awhile, and how people truly seemed to loved their neighbor.

“I’d like you to look around today, the people standing to the right and the left of you.  I promise you there are people by you that do not have the same political beliefs you do.  But, we’ve all come together for one good purpose:  to commemorate this great nation we live in.  Let’s not forget that, let’s not forget humanity, and let’s not forget to love thy neighbor, as our God taught us.”

Hundreds of motorcycles and even current and classic cars, along with a school bus, caravaned to the capitol, where a wreath was placed at the memorial.  Residents lined parts of the route.

With temperatures nearing the 90’s at the time of the ride Sunday morning, it was a somewhat uncomfortable day for a motorcycle ride.  But, while there’s never a bad day for a ride, this ride was important from the minute organizers said, “Let’s roll.”

This wreath was laid at the 9/11 memorial at the Illinois Capitol Sunday.
This wreath was laid at the 9/11 memorial at the Illinois Capitol Sunday. (Will Stevenson)