Veteran gets surprise birthday celebration from Asbury Park Wall Motorcycle Committee

Members of the Asbury Park Wall Motorcycle Committee, the Elks Lodge, and Applewood Estates came together Saturday morning to celebrate a veteran’s 83rd birthday.

News 12 Staff

Jul 30, 2022, 5:00 PM

Updated 798 days ago

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Members of the Asbury Park Wall Motorcycle Committee, the Elks Lodge, and Applewood Estates came together Saturday to celebrate a veteran’s 83rd birthday.
Walter Frederick is a long-term care resident at Applewood Estates – an assisted living community in Freehold. Friends and caretakers say he loves to talk about his military experience and motorcycles.
The roar of 100 bikes could be heard from a mile away as Elks and motorcyclists from around the state pulled up in front of Applewood for "Walt's Ride."
Frederick was wheeled out to the sight of the bikers for a surprise drive by birthday celebration.
Frederick was presented a flag from the president of the Elks and a chaplain led a special prayer. He also received birthday cards and the crowd also sang "Happy Birthday."
The Asbury Park Wall Motorcycle Committee teamed up with fellow Elks with a goal to get 25 to 50 motorcyclists to participate in "Walt's Ride."
They surpassed their goal.
"I feel great, I'm up now, I feel great," Frederick enthused. "I say to people age is just a number. It's what you do with it that counts."
"So, all I had to do was tell them about my idea and Elks from New Jersey decided to support this because he's a vet," said Michelle Russell, director of social services at Applewood Estates.
Frederick served in the military from 1962 to 1968 and was assigned to a chemical platoon.
He also served in the National Guard.
His birthday was on Thursday July 28.