Category: 2007 Fund Raising

jledoux@potomacnews.com

Dozens of motorcycles were lined up at Dale City American Legion Post 1503 on July 29, as eager riders prepared to take part in a charity poker ride to support the Landstuhl Hospital Care Project.

“If only the troops could see that all of these guys have their backs,” said LHCP president Karen Grimord as she looked over the row of gleaming Harleys.

LHCP is a non-profit organization that provides comfort and relief items free of charge to military personnel who become sick, injured or wounded as a result of their service in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan. Donated items are distributed to military patients at Landstuhl Hospital, the largest American military hospital outside the United States.

“My son was born at Landstuhl,” said Julie Tichonhuk of Dumfries as she signed up for the ride.

The event included a variation of five-card stud poker and led bikers on a more than 120-mile journey through Dale City, Woodbridge, Manassas and finally Stafford, where they finished at American Legion Post 290.

“Somebody has to support them,” said Joe Jablonski, a Marine Corps veteran from Gainesville who made the ride.

Riders had to pay a $20 entry fee to play poker. They each received a spreadsheet that contained all card numbers and suits at the beginning of the ride. Participants made five stops along the route, where they drew cards. Those with the highest and lowest hands won a cash prize at the end.

Army veteran Jon Banks of Fairfax said he debated on whether or not to attend church or participate in the ride. After praying about it, he opted to hop on his Harley.

“It’s for the troops,” he said. “I just got the sensation that if I’m doing something good for somebody, it’s as good as going to church.”

Poker Ride Mike Lee and Riders	Bike 2	Poker Ride Karen, Sharon & Karen
Bike 3	Poker Ride Signing Up	Poker Ride Pavilion

“Ma’am do American’s still support our effort, do they still care?” I have been asked this question several times over the last 12 months by troops serving in OIF/OEF. My answer is always yes and I’m sorry our media feels more incline to show those that do not, but trust me we are still here.

The Norwich American Legion Riders from post 189 held their second annual LHCP benefit. As I traveled through the beautiful hills of Chenago County with the red barns, white silos and homes with large front porches I thought about last years motorcycle rally and the dedication and conviction these individuals had shown our troops. It has been exactly a year since their last benefit; would the residents of Chenago County be less supportive of our troops, as the main stream media has been reporting of our American population? I can report that a lack of support is not happening in Chenago County, in fact it more than doubled, hooah!

I want to tell you that my words will never express the outpouring of support I viewed through the side mirror of a motorcycle this past weekend. When you look in a mirror you usually see what you have left behind, passed by or what is getting ready to pass you but in Norwich , NY it was different. The route is 80 miles though winding, curving, wooded, beautiful back country mountain roads.

I could not help but notice the farmer’s fields that had not yet been planted and watch the birds swimming in the large pools of water, either from a recent rain or from all the snow that had just melted. I noticed that you would not lose site of one silo before seeing another. But as we got into the route I saw them, they were all lined up like military troops themselves. One leading the pack, then one on the right, one on the left about 15 yards behind, then another on the right, about the same 15 yards, another to the left. Then myself and in the side mirror I saw those that continued behind me. Some might think they were just all following the leader but it is so much more.

Look in the side mirror and you see the lights from each bike and you realize that each one is a beacon of pride, faith and each light represents another American that came out to say I have your back. That beacon of light that says can you see us, we are here and we will not forget that you are there, defending freedom. Have faith in us that we will be here for you now and when you return; we will have faith in you.

As we would crest a hill I would lose site of those at my back but the sound of their bikes let me know they were ok and one by one the lights would emerge over the crest to say I’m still here. We may have been individual’s each with our own type of motorcycle and not able to verbally speak, but we traveled through the 80 miles as one, our engines our voices, united for our military troops.

Thank you Paul, Bill and all the American Legion Riders from Norwich!!

Fueling up for a very big day.	No flag stand available, I am proud to hold it.	Paul Russo sharing his wisdom.	Look how much I have grown in a year. Not much longer and I will be riding one myself.
Line them up to show support.	More rolling in and lined up.	Rolling out to hit the 80 mile ride.	Two more showing their support of our troops.
Coming into the local VA home to visit veterans of past wars.	Veterans thanking veterans	In formation, riding as one.	If only the troops could see the support from Norwich and beyond.
Heading out to our next stop	Barns and bikes along a nice route.	Around the curves.	Look in the mirror and see those that have your back.

Marilyn and her Red Hatters

CORDIALLY INVITE YOU

TO OUR ANNUAL LUNCHEON AND FUNDRAISER

ON APRIL 18, 2007 AT 12 NOON

AT THE HOME OF

Erhla and Dan

For the benefit of our American Wounded Soldiers

Erhla and husband Dan host the gourmet luncheon fundraiser at their home.

Marilyn at the mic. What a delightful day!!

Elinor Dickman receives gift of roses after playing a piano concert.