What an awesome legacy and memorial for Jonathon. This is the fourth year that they have done this memorial ride and hopefully this will continue for a long, long time. They also have a website in dedication to Jonathon where folks can go to read about what happened to him and his team and even donate to a fund for future scholarships. If you live in New York or nearby, this would be a cool one to check out if you are a rider. –Matt
Motorcyclists hit the road in memory of local man
Jonathon Coté was kidnapped, killed in Iraq
By Kathleen Ronayne
August 13, 2012
More than 300 motorcycle riders turned out Sunday afternoon for the fourth annual Memorial Motorcycle Run in honor of Jonathon Coté, who was kidnapped and killed in Iraq while working as a private security contractor.
In the on-and-off rain, the group rode from Williamsville North High School, from which Coté graduated, to Lewiston. The motorcycle ride represents Coté’s fun and active personality, his family said.
“[Jonathon] saw the motorcycle as a way for freedom,” said his father, Francis Coté.
Proceeds from Sunday’s ride will go to a scholarship for a local high school student and to Western New York Heroes.
For family and friends, it didn’t matter how soaked their clothes were when they completed the ride. Instead, they focused on remembering Coté and celebrating his life.
Coté served in Iraq and Afghanistan in the Army, and later went back to Iraq as a security contractor. In 2006, he and four others were kidnapped, and their bodies were found a year and a half later.
