Morgan Hensley

Staff Writer

Banding together for a good cause, the 2nd annual Miner’s Memorial Ride will take place Aug. 19 for all interested bikers in Harlan County and the surrounding area.

Hosted by the Miner’s Brotherhood Motorcycle Club, which is comprised of either working, retired or disabled coal miners, the Miner’s Brotherhood is a family oriented club that gives back to the community. In the past, the club has helped pay for medical attention for families who could not afford treatment.

“It is our goal to help the community,” said Club President Paul Helton. “We are a non-profit organization. Everything we have done in the past and everything we will do in the future has been for a good cause.”

Sign-in and registration for the event will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Coal Monument located in Baxter. The ride will begin at 1 p.m. traveling down U.S. 119 to Pineville, turning onto U.S. 25E to Middlesboro, traveling through the tunnel into Cumberland Gap National Park, then traveling back through the Martins Fork Lake area and finishing at the Miner’s Brotherhood clubhouse at Verda. There will be refreshments at the clubhouse along with various drawings and door prizes.

“Our ride is a remembrance to all fallen miners,” said Helton. “We want to honor the past and present coal miners. Coal mining is a hard and dirty job. Living in Harlan County, times can get hard — like it is right now. Coal miners go through a lot, but that is our lifestyle. This ride is to show our support. We had a great turnout for the ride last year and I’m really proud of everyone who came out and supported this cause. With about 125 motorcycles taking part in last year’s ride, I hope we’ll have an even better turnout this year.”

Cost for the ride will be $10 for single riders and $15 for doubles. Money raised from the ride will be placed into a miner’s memorial fund “to be used in the future to help the community as the club sees fit.”

“I just want to invite everyone out to the ride,” said Helton. “You don’t have to be a miner, and it doesn’t matter what kind of motorcycle you own. Everyone is welcome. I want everyone to have good and safe time. We really appreciate everyone who has donated to make this event possible. ”

For more information on either the Miner’s Memorial Ride or the Miner’s Brotherhood Motorcycle Club, you may contact Helton at 606-505-5397 or 606-837-8360.

Reach Morgan Hensley at 606-573-4510 or mhensley@heartlandpublications.com