A Benefit Run I Will Always Remeber

In these trouble times with all the negative postings on the Internet and newspaper I would like to bring to every one's attention, that looking out for our fellow man is not what the government is suppose to do!

In May I received a call from Poindexter's Saloon a business that I have worked with for 4 years now. Stef and Mandy the owners ask me to work with and put together a complete Poster, Flyer and Postcard package, the same type I do for them for special events only this time it was for The Silent Heroes Motorcycle Club in Stedman, NC.
This brotherhood of motorcyclist all share one thing in common, they all have a background working with Fire Departments and EMS squads in the Fayetteville and Sandhill area. On March 17th 2005 they decided to form a club to honor their fallen brothers. The birth of the club took place on the anniversary of fallen brother, David Sharp, who was killed in the line of duty in 2000 while working for the City of Fayetteville Fire Department.
Since then, they have ridden all over the state and country to honor other brothers lost and to help those in need. The club strives to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, so they will Never Be forgotten.

The Club learned that FFD Chaplin Archie Cox, a career member of the Fayetteville Fire Department had been diagnosed with liver cancer and was traveling back and forth to Duke for treatments. This time they were not honoring a fallen hero, but putting on a benefit to help raise moneys to help Archie and his wife cover the cost of hotel, travel meals and any other expense associated with his treatment. A special benefit that would include a Poker Run open to all bikers that would join in to help, a special raffle for a Cairns 101o fire helmet (donate by a local supplier) and also Tarus 380 handgun (also donated).
For door prizes several local businesses donate items, even the band was paid for by Poindexter's and The pour House. Fatbacks BBQ & Ribs Shack supplied the food and fed us all. Oakcrest Band entertained us as the hot June day turned cooler.

Now a lot of people look a bikers with disdainment, but I want you to know if anything ever happen to me I couldn't ask for better people to come to my aid. They come from all walks of life and our bond is the open road and our Harley, Honda, Yamaha, BMW or whatever we ride. Members representing local MC clubs participated, Bikers for Christ, Freedom Biker Church, Veterans, Special Forces the list goes on and on.

When it came time for the drawing of winners for the raffles and the winner of the best and worst poker hands Archie and his wife joined the members of the Silent Heroes on stage, leading us with a prayer and I must add tearing up the onlookers. Archie gave thanks to God for blessing him, so many people have come together to help and lend support, the brotherhood he's worked his entire life beside again stood with him and he felt truly blessed. When the check was presented a roar let out from everyone, a standing ovation to the Silent Heroes. Their efforts had raised $7050.00 for Archie and that was before the winner of the best Poker hand from the Nam Knights donated back his $250.00 prize or all of the rest of the sales that continued on into the evening. Even the band donated half the sales of their Cd's, t-shirts etc. to the cause.

It's very humbling to see such an out pour of affection, for some of us we didn't know who Archie was until Saturday but as he and his wife prepared to leave I watched him walk around to everyone, shake their hand and thank them again for their support. I watched those big burly tattoo laden bikers get tears in their eyes knowing they have helped a brother.

I have participated in several bike runs over the years, for all different reasons and I just have to say that My Brothers and Sisters on 2 wheels show more love to their fellow man than any group I have ever encountered. So the next time your out and you see bikers gather watch how they embrace each other and remember!