Memorial motorcycle ride honors Spc. Brian K. Arsenault

By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer

Northborough – On Sept. 22, over 200 motorcyclists, passengers and supporters took part in the third annual Spc. Brian K. Arsenault Memorial Ride, beginning and ending at the Vincent F. Picard American Legion Post 234 in Northborough. A Bronze Star recipient and 2004 Algonquin Regional High School (ARHS) graduate, Army Spc. Arsenault was killed in action in Afghanistan at age 28 in 2014.

Proceeds go to the Brian Arsenault Memorial Fund, established by the family to benefit veterans’ organizations and a scholarship in the fallen soldier’s name.

Prior to the ride, a brief ceremony took place with color guards of the American Legion Post 234 and the Marine Corps JROTC from Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlborough. The national anthem was sung by Mary Kate Ellsworth, a Gold Star family member of Army PFC Neil Ellsworth, who was killed at age 19 in Vietnam in 1967.

Spc. Arsenault’s father, Dan, spoke on behalf of the family. He thanked the event volunteers and participants for their ongoing support.

“I feel like Brian is not only my son; he’s Northborough’s son,” he said.

ARHS junior Olivia Lamy discussed her involvement with the student organization Operation Tomahawk, whose mission is to help active military personnel, veterans and their families. She conducted a fundraiser for the Brian Arsenault Memorial Fund.

Other speakers were state Rep. Harold Naughton (D-Clinton); and Adam Costello of Northborough, veterans’ coordinator for Easter Seals of Massachusetts.

Along the approximately 45-mile ride route, motorcyclists passed ARHS and a gathering of its Tomahawk boys’ ice hockey teammates. The athletes paid tribute to the ARHS alum, who played hockey there for four years.

The ride concluded with a meal provided by the Texas BBQ Company, and musical entertainment by the blues and rock band Sweet Fire.