Motorcycle enthusiast heads west for Wounded Warriors
(by Kimberly Redmond - September 16, 2008)
Photos Courtesy Of Frank Buonocore
Frank Buonocore, who is riding his motorcycle cross country to raise awareness for The Wounded Warrior Program, is a big rock and roll fan. During his travels, he stopped at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. His iPod, which is helping to get him through long stretches of road, contains “lots of Bruce, Bon Jovi and Rolling Stones.”
Few people have ever traveled cross-country via car. Even fewer have done so on a motorcycle.
Frank Buonocore, of Park Ridge (formerly of Northvale), has embarked upon a cross-country journey with this in mind. Buonocore, a self-proclaimed motorcycle enthusiast, left New Jersey on Sept. 7 to travel across the United States on his motorcycle, a Harley Davidson Ultra Classic. He has rode his bike long distances before, however, this will be his longest ride to date.
Although this trip is a solo mission, Buonocore has been sharing it with people through his Web site, http://frankjamestheride.blogspot.com. Frequent updates on his site contain diary entries and photographs documenting his journey.
In addition to serving as a digital tour guide, Buonocore aims to call attention to the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), a nonprofit organization that aids severely injured service men and women. The WWP seeks to raise awareness for the needs of the severely injured, as well as provide unique programs and services to them. Buonocore first became involved with the WWP in 2007 when he participated in the organization’s Freedom Run ride. “My trip will serve as a reminder of just exactly what the military is fighting for, and give people a chance to see the country,” said Buonocore.
Although he’s never served in the military, many people in his family have. His father served in World War II and his grandfather served in World War I. Buonocore’s brother-in-law served in Vietnam, and his nephew, Staff Sgt. Richard Bruno, was recently deployed to Iraq. He’s even been able to trace a relation to a “distant-distant cousin” who served in the Civil War.
To Buonocore, supporting the troops at home and on the front is imperative since “they risk their lives everyday for our freedom.” Injured service men and women, he believes, should be given special recognition. “Being injured in the line of duty is highly honorable,” he said.
Buonocore, a former president of a marketing company, left the industry a few years ago to pursue songwriting. The flexibility of his current profession affords him the opportunity to travel for such an extensive period.
Although he hasn’t formulated a meticulous travel itinerary, Buonocore has some intended stops. Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone National Park, in particular, are two of the places he definitely wants to see.
As of Sept. 13, Buonocore has traveled “at least 1,800 miles.” He stopped in Cleveland to check out the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He also stopped in Milwaukee, where he toured the famous Miller Brewery.
Wounded Warrior Project
The mission of the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is to honor and empower wounded veterans. This nonprofit organization was founded on the principle that veterans are our nation’s greatest citizens. The WWP seeks to assist those men and women of the armed forces who have been severely injured during the conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq and other locations around the world. In addition to providing unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of the severely injured, the WWP works to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of these individuals. For further information or to make a donation, visit: www.woundedwarriorproject.org
His trip hasn’t been without a few setbacks. As he departed New Jersey, he grappled with the severe weather brought on by Hurricane Hanna. Upon reaching South Dakota, he braced himself for more severe weather, including constant rain, thick fog and swelling winds. According to Buonocore, “the clouds were so low and black, it was almost like being in a dark, damp basement.” There was also a mechanical problem concerning the gear assembly on his bike. Fortunately, Buonocore was able to contact a Harley dealer on the road to assist him.
He currently anticipates being away from home “for at least three weeks.” Buonocore, however, is quite flexible. Upon reaching Yellowstone National Park, he’ll make a decision about whether to continue westward or to turn around.
As he says in his song “The Ride,” “I don’t look too hard at where I’m going. Having a good time chasing the unknown, it’s the only way I know to win.”
Kimberly Redmond's e-mail address is redmondk@northjersey.com.
