NORTH BERGEN, NJ (June 4) - Traxxas would like to recognize Officer Joe Sitty’s tireless efforts with the Drug Awareness Resistance Education program in North Bergen, NJ. His inspirational letter so accurately portrayed the excitement of D.A.R.E. Day 5; we decided to reprint it.


To: The folks at Traxxas
From: Officer Joe Sitty, North Bergen (NJ) Police Department

I am one of the officers who work with the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program. I had the opportunity to put together D.A.R.E. Day 5 for the fifth straight year. What a day it was! D.A.R.E. Day in North Bergen was organized for the 650 fifth-grade students who graduated from the program the week before. They have made a commitment to say no to drug offers and resist violence and gangs.

This D.A.R.E. Day was the biggest so far. This year’s day started at 9am at the Stan Newman Sports Complex. Once the kids arrived at the location, it was time for the parade of D.A.R.E. featuring police cars, the Batmobile® and – yes, you guessed it – T-Maxx and John Seasock. The procession of vehicles was very impressive. Leading the parade were two North Bergen Police Motorcycles (Harley, of course) and the North Bergen D.A.R.E. Police Car (see picture below). Then, the mighty roar of the amazing T-Maxx monster truck sent the crowd of 650 11- and 12-year olds into a frenzy. While T-Maxx was entering the sports complex area, the opening to the complex was a little tight, and the monster truck’s massive tires rubbed against the fence poles, shaking the huge fence and making it look like a wild lion trying to get out of a cage. The Batmobile entered the complex, followed by the D.A.R.E. Vehicles from other communities.

Once all were on the field, it was time for the crowd of kids to look center stage for the opening ceremonies. Several dignitaries congratulated the kids and 15-year-old Christina Marie sang “God Bless America.” Then Ms. Lori Michaels and the Reach Out Dancers performed for the crowd. Once the performances were complete, two helicopters – one from the New Jersey State Police and the other from the New Jersey National Guard flew in to the complex and landed.

Then the kids free to visit the different attractions on the field. Kid after kid walked up to the massive T-Maxx and spoke with John Seasock and his crew chief, Mike Hoy. They gave a picture of T-Maxx and autographed the pictures for every kid that came up to them. John also put on an amazing quad stunt show for the crowd.

John Seasock has been a loyal supporter of D.A.R.E. He has been to three of my five D.A.R.E. Days (#1, #2 and #5). He only missed D.A.R.E. Day 3 and 4 because the original days were rained out. Those were Wednesdays and the rain days were Fridays when he was at monster truck shows. John was disappointed about missing those events. John has never asked for any payment and has always said, "Joe, I will do anything for your kids."

North Bergen, located five minutes from Manhattan, NY, is in no way a wealthy community. We have the Lincoln Tunnel on one side of us, and the George Washington Bridge on the other side. My D.A.R.E. kids would probably never see a real monster if it was not for John Seasock coming to my D.A.R.E. Day. John is aces; he always thinks about the kids. It is my honor to call John Seasock my friend and I would like to thank Traxxas for sponsoring him and allowing him to be involved in my day. Thank you again John. You are the best and made so many kids happy on June 1, 2005.

Thank you,

Officer Joseph F. Sitty, Jr.