All Patriots Poker Run – Cameron, Missouri

I am sure you have all received the email that has circulated concerning “Thanking a Vet." It is the email that says, “It is the Vet, not the preacher that has given us the freedom of religion, it is the Vet that has given us the freedom of speech, not the politician, and it goes on to thank the Vet for the freedom we all enjoy today. And that is exactly what we did that day, Sunday May 18, we said thank you to the veterans from WW II and Korea, who are residents of the Missouri Veterans Home. As we talked with some of them and shook their hands, it was amazing to hear them thank the riders for taking the time not to forget them and for coming out to visit and say hi and to raise much-needed money for the home. The staff and residents alike enjoyed the day as bikes of all kinds and sizes rode in and around the facility and grounds. The grill was already fired up and you could smell the burgers and brats cooking away on the grill, and after a ride it was right on time.

With over 130 bikes parked in and around the grounds, you could see the veterans and staff walking around to see them, and some of the residents of the home looked fondly at the motorcycles and remarked about the one they used to ride back in their day. Not all were motorcycle lovers, but they all enjoyed looking at the bikes and talking to the riders, staff included. When asked if they wanted to ride one, some were ready to climb aboard and give it a shot, and others said, “no way; that is too fast for me,” but we did hear, “start it up, I wanna hear it run.” Smiles as big as the state of Texas came across their faces when a rider fired her up and let it rumble. Even one of the bikes was rolled into one of the meeting rooms, with permission of course, for pictures of the residents and staff. Not sure who got the biggest kick out of it, the riders or the residents!

As I walked around and talked to the residents, staff and riders, it did my heart good to hear the same thing time after time, "I am here for them and to let them know America will never forget their sacrifice and duty to our country and the freedom I enjoy because of what they did years ago." The thing that will catch your thoughts is that some of the guys that were thankful were actually veterans themselves. Most were Vietnam vets not ever wanting to forget those that had carried the banner of freedom onto foreign soil before them. They all wanted the ol’ timers to know that America still cared. There were also veterans from Afghanistan, Kuwait and Iraq that rode the poker run to say "Thank You" to the veterans of yesteryear. Supporters of vets shared in the responsibility of tirelessly helping put the event on and to make sure that it went well.

Riders raised more money this year than last year. In 2007 the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Chapter 4-1 donated $3000 to the Cameron Veterans Home, and this year they increased their donation by a whopping 63% raising $4700.60, which was once again donated to the Cameron Veterans Home.

By Phil "Joker" Peeler