Big Nick’s Ride For The Cape Cod Fallen: Responding To The Noise In Yarmouth

CW_Big Nick's Ride_33016I am not a veteran, but I have friends who are. I am not a police officer, but I have friends who are. I am not a first responder, but I have friends who are. I am not a member of our armed services, but I have friends who are. Actually, I would not call these men and women my friends; they are my family. I am a rider and I own a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. I am also a member of the planning committee for Big Nick’s Ride for the Cape Cod Fallen.

This Tuesday night, I watched with disbelief as Harris Contos stood before the Town of Yarmouth selectmen referring to a memorial motorcycle ride for the 14 Cape Cod fallen heroes as “a gratuitous event that has no meaning whatsoever.”  I also watched as the Yarmouth selectmen (and women) listened to each of his statements. One by one they asked questions and followed up with their inability to support his articles. An invitation to be involved with the memorial event was extended to, and rejected by, Mr. Cantos.

Tim Whelan

Tim Whelan

Harris Cantos has been making noise about motorcycles for a few years now. He has also made noise about other issues he has within the town of Yarmouth, including an attempt to ban all drive-thrus. I attended the town meeting last year when he attempted a similar motion to ban all motorcycle rides, and followed up with an attempt to enforce town noise codes in inappropriate and unrealistic ways.  He stood alone.

Although the Yarmouth selectmen unanimously voted not to support Harris’s motions, he still has the right to present his articles at the Yarmouth Town Meeting on May 7th. It is his constitutional right. Our fallen heroes died protecting that right.

CW_Big Nick's Ride_33016I have the same lump in my throat as you do. I have tears welling up in my eyes. It’s sad and it’s frustrating. It’s also tiring. I was at the funeral home when Nicholas came home. We stand together. We hug and hold each other up when we have to. We stand along the side of roads when hearses drive by, carrying coffins draped in American flags. We place flags at the National Cemetery. We ride in motorcycle precessions side by side with brave men and women. We welcome our heroes home from deployment with yellow ribbons and BBQs. We talk, laugh and cry.

I will show Harris more respect than he has demonstrated for our military men and women, their families and our first responders; my FAMILY.

I will ignore him. I will turn my back to him and I will wave an American flag at every opportunity I get.

I will ride with pride in the Annual First Responders Ride with the thoughts of men and women who put themselves between strangers and those who want to do them harm. I will personally say thank you to Officer Jared MacDonald from the Bourne Police Department and the family of the late Deputy Sheriff John Robert Kotfila Jr.

CW_Big Nick's Ride_33016I will ride with Deputy Chief Steven Xiarhos and one-thousand military members and veterans in Big Nick’s Ride on July 24th to support the families of the Cape Cod Fallen: United States Army Staff Sergeant Alicia A. Birchett of Mashpee, United States Army Private First Class Paul E. Conlon of Mashpee, ​United States Navy Captain Gerald F. DeConto of Sandwich, ​United States Army Sergeant Alexander H. Fuller of Barnstable, ​United States Army Sergeant Matthew R. Gallagher of Falmouth, ​United States Navy SEAL Kevin A. Houston of Barnstable, ​United States Marine Captain Eric A. Jones of Mashpee, ​United States Marine Private First Class Daniel A.C. McGuire of Mashpee, ​United States Army Sergeant Matthew A. Pucino of Bourne, ​United States Army Private First Class Clinton E. Springer II of Bourne, ​United States Army Sergeant Zachary D. Tellier of Falmouth, ​United States Army Sergeant Mark R. Vecchione of Eastham, Commander Francis T Williams  of Sandwich and ​​United States Marine Corporal Nicholas G. Xiarhos of Yarmouth.

CW_Big Nick's Ride_33016I will proudly show my support for the brave men and women and their families who have dedicated their lives, without hesitation, to defend my safety and protect MY freedoms – and Harris’s freedoms.

I would like to ask you to do the same. If you want to turn your dismay and frustration into action, show up and show your support. Line the ride routes. Make signs. Wave flags. Make a donation to any of the local organizations that offer support to the men and women whom Harris deems unworthy of our time and attention. And, if you are a resident of the Town of Yarmouth, please speak with your vote this Spring.

If you would like further information about Big Nick’s Ride for the Cape Cod Fallen, please let me know.

About Cat Wilson

Cat Wilson is "That Girl" on Cape Country 104 – a Cape Cod native and longtime Cape radio personality. She is a passionate supporter of Military and Veteran causes on the Cape and also hosts local music spotlight program, “The Cheap Seats” on Ocean 104.7.

Comments

  1. So what is preventing these people from riding stock, legal motorcycles and doing this? 50%-80% of these motorcycles have had the mufflers and catalytic converters removed to create more more pollution. Why?

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