Bike riders geared up in memory of a Queens man and EMS volunteer who died on September 11th on Sunday. NY1's Shannan Ferry filed the following report from South Ozone Park.
A motorcycle ride was held to remember a fallen hero on Sunday.
18-year-old Richard Pearlman happened to be near the twin towers on September 11th, 2001.
The Howard Beach resident ran in to help others after the attack and died in the line of duty.
"He said I'm not coming back to work, I was meant to be here it's is my life, to save people," said Dorie Pearlman, Richard's mom.
Pearlman was a volunteer with the Forest Hills Ambulance Corps. He was their only member to die that day.
On Sunday, hundreds gathered in South Ozone Park for the first 'Run for Richie.' It's a motorcycle ride in his memory.
"He was all, it was all about helping people, and that was certainly true and evident on 9/11," said Glen Schneider, Richard Pearlman's friend.
The ride kicked off at Resorts World Casino before hundreds of bikers made their way to the Freedom Tower.
Organizer Paul J. Marcel said he came up with the idea about a year ago.
Marcel is also a volunteer with a Forest Hills Ambulance Corps and an avid bike rider. He said Pearlman loved motorcycles too, making the ride a perfect way to honor him.
"You're talking about a person who would've developed into a protégé of New York State, and unfortunately he's not here, so we're here to back him up in his memory, and all those other lives that were taken that day," Marcel said.
Family and friends hope others follow in Pearlman's footsteps and serve their communities too.
Organizers said all proceeds from the ride will benefit the Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps.