(Left to right) Tech. Sgt. Brandon Helt, Tech. Sgt. Matthew Shortridge, Staff Sgt David Deutsch and retired Lt. Col. Butch Hensel, stand with their motorcycles on the flight line at the Maryland Air National Guard, 175th Wing at Warfield Air National Guard Base in Baltimore, Md., June 3. They are ready to ride 150 miles in the Ride Across Maryland to benefit breast cancer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Ed Bard/Released)

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(Left to right) Staff Sgts. Gary Oliver and Mike Ashbrook, both are weapon loading crew chiefs on the A-10C. They chow down on the burgers at the charity cook-out at Warfield Air National Guard Base in Baltimore, Md., June 3. The charity cook-out benefited the Ride Across Maryland which funds breast cancer research. The Maryland Air Guard Riders raised over $2,400 for breast cancer research. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Ed Bard/Released)

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Master Sgt. Carrie Platt, from the Maryland Air National Guard's 135th Airlift Group was one of the first to donate at the charity cook-out, she also made an online donation to the Maryland Air Guard Riders. She donated at Maryland Air National Guard, 175th Wing at Warfield Air National Guard Base in Baltimore, Md., June 3 charity cook-out to benefit the Ride Across Maryland which funds breast cancer research. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Ed Bard/Released)

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(Left to right) Civilian Ms. Megan Nawrocki, girlfriend of Tech. Sgt. Matthew Shortridge and Master Sgt. Dan Neville help keep the burgers moving at the charity cook-out to benefit the Ride Across Maryland at the 175th Wing at Warfield Air National Guard Base in Baltimore, Md., June 3, over $600 was rasied at the cook-out. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Ed Bard/Released)

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Chief Master Sgt. Phyllis Aubrey and 2nd Lt. Mark Prorock, from the Force Support Squadron station at the 175th Wing at Warfield Air National Guard Base in Baltimore, Md., June 3 had invited thier entire section to the charity cook-out to benefit the Ride Across Maryland which funds breast cancer research. The cook-out rasied over $600. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Ed Bard/Released)

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Maryland Air National Guard members support the Ride Across Maryland

Published June 8, 2011
By Master Sgt. Ed Bard
175th Wing

Baltimore -- The Maryland Air Guard Riders shined up their motorcycles and raised over $2,400 to fight breast cancer. Six riders participated in the Ride Across Maryland June 4 through the 6, 2011. The 150 mile ride led the team from the Columbia Mall to Ocean City, Md. Tech. Sgt. Brandon Helt, from the Maryland Air National Guard's 135th Airlift Group was the team captain. Other team members included Senior Master Sgt Craig Rabinowitz, Tech. Sgt. Matthew Shortridge, Staff Sgt David Deutsch, retired Lt. Col. Butch Hensel, and retired Army Sgt. Vince Webster. The team raised $2,440 during the weekend event.

Sgt. Helt and his group organized a cook-out June 3 at Warfield Air National Guard Base in Middle River Md. drawing over 150 people to support the effort, and raising over $600.

When asked why he wanted to help with this event Sgt. Helt said, "What started out as a three man operation in 2009 quickly grew into a team of citizen airmen fueled by a desire to continue helping others. Our goal is to support the communities of Maryland both in and out of uniform, and we feel this event is an excellent opportunity to be part of a great cause."

The Ride Across Maryland is in its 11th year of operation and topped $2 million last year in donations to fight breast cancer. The Ride Across Maryland is the largest independent fundraiser in the country for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the global leader of the breast cancer movement working to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures.

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