The eighth annual Ronnie’s Ride Motorcycle Run took place on Sunday, May 1, with the opening event at PS3 Ronald A Gill Jr.’s alma mater, Cranston High School West.

A crowd gathered and rows of motorcycles lined the curb, with a police escort comprised of officers from several cities and towns waiting at the front of the line.

Mayor Allan Fung took to the podium, extending greetings from the city of Cranston and welcoming guests to the Gill Foundation’s event.

“Thank you all for coming this morning. I am excited to be here for this very special occasion,” the mayor said. “I can’t believe that eight years have passed – eight years of honoring Ronnie’s memory, of honoring the entire Gill family and all they have done. Year after year and today, they’ve been keeping Ronnie’s memory alive.”

Gill was tragically killed in the line of duty while serving in the Coast Guard on March 25, 2007. Since that time, his family has established a charitable foundation in order to preserve his legacy and help local students secure a college education.

Mike Dalmazzi of the Rhode Island Combat Veterans Association announced that since its inception, the foundation has given $225,000 in college scholarships to local students. The money is raised through various Gill Foundation events, such as Ronnie’s Ride and the upcoming July 16 golf tournament.

“This money is raised thanks to people like you showing up to stuff like this, and makes us able to do that,” Dalmazzi said.

Fung thanked the participants for helping current students, as well as generations to come, to remember Gill’s legacy.

“Ronnie gave the ultimate sacrifice for all of us, and he should never be forgotten, especially by the students of Cranston and by the next generation,” he said. “The scholarships that have been given, the community events that take place, these things ensure that Ronnie’s memory is being kept alive. We are preserving his legacy, particularly for [his daughter] Gracie, for the next generation of Cranstonians, and the next generation of Rhode Islanders.”

As is tradition, a Gold Star Moms corsage was presented to Gill’s mother, Rosemary, and beads were placed on the flags of the lead bike by Gracie Gill, a tradition which was started at the first bike run as a blessing for the safety of all who rode that day.

The ride totaled 100 miles round-trip, with a full police escort, starting at West and proceeding to the Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Exeter for a service. The ride continued back to Cranston, where it ended with a dinner at the Cranston Country Club.

For information about the foundation and its upcoming events, visit rongilljr.org.