Valley Businessman, Daughters to Cycle to NY Sept. 11 Memorial

A Coachella Valley businessman and his two daughters will cycle from Indio to the national Sept. 11 memorial in New York City starting Monday to deliver an American flag created by a local group that works with people with disabilities.

Tim Esser and his family were slated to leave from Fantasy Springs casino Monday morning, accompanied by U.S. Marines and local police and firefighters. They’re carrying a flag designed by Desert Arc decorated with 100 other nations’ flags and the names of those who died in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Marines based in Twentynine Palms will join the first leg of the ride, which will go east on Interstate 10 to the General Patton Memorial Museum in Chiriaco Summit.

Tim Esser is president of Esser Air Conditioning & Heating in Cathedral City and a founder of the Tour de Palm Springs, which raises money for local charities each February. Esser has ridden from Palm Springs to Jacksonville, Florida, according to the Tour de Palm Springs.

Donations can be sent to Esser Family Charitable Organization, P.O. Box 1636, Cathedral City, CA 92235.