Couple helps military, police, firefighters

If Ted Levitt's work pays off, it should be the sound of dozens - if not hundreds - of motorcyclists revving their engines as they roar up the cobblestoned street on their beefy bikes.

Led by a police escort, the riders will be followed by a small fleet of vintage fire engines with sirens wailing.

The motorcyclists are riding to raise funds to help the family of Sgt. Eric Edmundson, who was seriously injured in Iraq on Oct. 2, 2005.

Ted and Beth Levitt, owners of Chick & Ruth's Delly on Main Street, and several other volunteers are organizing the Faces of Valor USA 2010 Motorcycle Ride and Family Picnic to establish a college fund for Eric and Stephanie Edmundson's 5-year-old daughter, Gracie Marie.

The Levitts founded Faces of Valor USA, a nonprofit organization, several years ago after learning Marine Capt. Ben Sammis, the son of friends Beth and Steve Sammis of Rehoboth, Mass., had been killed serving in Iraq.

"The idea for Faces of Valor USA is to do something for people in the military, firefighters, police and EMS who have been killed or injured that thegovernment or other charities don't do," Beth Levitt said.

"We want to help Eric's family have somewhat of a normal life," Ted said. "Faces of Valor USA has already raised $20,000 to help several families. We're setting up a $5,000 college scholarship trust for Gracie and hope to add to it over the years."

Eric Edmundson was wounded by an improvised explosive device, or IED, while on patrol near the Iraq-Syria border. He survived the blast, but went into cardiac arrest shortly after. He was revived, but his brain was deprived of oxygen for 30 minutes, causing permanent brain damage.

Though doctors originally said he would live in a persistent vegetative state, Edmundson is mentally alert and communicates through a computer-generated voice box attached to his wheelchair. With assistance, he can walk, but is unable to talk, feed himself or perform other routine activities.

Helping hands

Ted said he's already seen signs of support for Edmundson.

"A regular customer, a young man who was about to turn 12, was eating here and saw the fliers. He asked people to give him money for this cause instead of birthday gifts. He collected over $200 in checks and brought them in," Ted said.

The cost for preregistered riders is $25, and the first 150 riders will receive an event T-shirt. Riders who register on the day of the event will pay $30, plus $10 each for additional riders. Those who do not wish to ride are invited join the riders at the picnic for a fee of $15 per person. Donations also will be accepted. The ride begins at the Outback Steakhouse at 2207 Forest Drive, across from the Annapolis Town Center in Parole. Registration opens at 9:30 a.m. Riders can pre-register online at www.facesofvalorUSA.com. There is a form registrants can download to collect sponsorship pledges from friends and family. The rider or attendee with the most sponsorship dollars will be named at the picnic, which will be held on the grounds of Old Glory Harley-Davidson in Laurel, and will receive a two-night stay at The Scotlaur Inn Bed & Breakfast on Main Street.

Last year, more than 80 riders participated.

"The picnic menu includes grilled chicken, burgers, kosher hot dogs, sodas and water," said Ben Pope, an event volunteer and one of the riders. "There will be a DJ and music. It's a real family-friendly event. We hope everyone comes out to show their support, not just motorcyclists."

Leading the parade will be the Faces of Valor USA Tribute Car, a traffic-stopping 1931 Buick that Ted has owned since 1985. Two years ago, while he was laying the groundwork for the nonprofit organization, he completely restored the vehicle and turned it into a rolling tribute to the men and women who, Ted said, "protect us and provide safety and security to our American way of life."

In place of its formerly unobtrusive all-black paint job, the Buick - which has become a popular part of Annapolis' Memorial Day and Independence Day parades - now gleams with a flag-waving red, white and blue paint job. Also featured on the car are the portraits of 43 men and women from the armed forces and police, fire and EMS services. Several of those displayed are friends of the Levitts.

One fireman pictured, a New Yorker, is the father of one of dozens of midshipmen the Levitts have sponsored. Nineteen of the firemen depicted were co-workers of this firefighter. He survived 9/11, but his friends perished when the Twin Towers fell.

Also included among the faces are Capt. Ben Sammis, World War II veteran; former Gov. Marvin Mandel; and Joe Flynn, an armed services veteran of Annapolis.

Ready to ride

Edmundson will be riding in his father's sidecar tomorrow.

"It will be Eric's 30th birthday on Sunday. He's typing a speech on his computer to give at the picnic," Ted said. "We plan to present him with a birthday cake."

The Levitts met the wounded soldier on the sidewalk outside Chick & Ruth's Delly last year. Despite his injuries, Edmundson and family members travel to several events each year to show their support for other injured veterans.

"Eric was here for the Wounded Warrior Ride," Ted said. "He was sitting in a restaurant and saw the Faces of Valor car parked at the curb. His sister, Anna Frese, asked us if he could have a photo of himself with the car."

Soon thereafter, Edmundson found himself on the ever-growing list of those helped by the Levitts' goodwill.

"I'd like to raise a million for these men and women and keep going," Ted said.

For more information about the Faces of Valor 2010 Motorcycle Ride and Family Picnic visit www.facesofvalorUSA.com.

Wendi Winters is a freelance writer who lives on the Broadneck Peninsula.