The sound of freedom could be heard Saturday morning as over 160 bikers revved their engines in honour of the men and women who fought for our country.
The Northern Annual Charity Poker Run is a fundraiser for veterans with unmarked graves who passed away for our freedom. This year was specifically dedicated to three fallen riders, Jules Gareau, Al Van Meer, and Stan Wychopen, who put a part of themselves into making Ride for a Vet a success. Before taking off, everyone observed a moment of silence for these fallen riders.
The bikers rode 314 kilometres together from North Battleford through to Spiritwood and ended in Meota where Rosetta and Consenting Adults played a show at the skating rink.
There was a cash bar, mini bike rodeo, 50/50 draws, show and shine, vendor and food booths for participants after the four hour ride.
Riley Amos, organizer of Ride for a Vet, explained that the idea for the charity motorcycle run came from four bikers while they were drinking in a pub.
The first ride was in 2002, organized by Bernie Levasseur, Don Bush, Glenn Kulyk and Jim Giefer, and they are still going strong, bringing more support and seeing more involvement from bikers throughout the province.
There were around 96 veterans buried in unmarked plots when the Canadian Legion of Riders decided to raise money for the fallen soldier's tombstones through Royal Canadian Legion Branch 70. So far Branch 70 has raised $40,000 to $50,000, not only for the veterans but for many clubs in North Battleford, including minor hockey, girls and boys club and old folks homes.
Through the motorcycle ride, nearly 70 graves now have a headstone and are properly marked. "It was a god send for people to give something back because we did not have the funds." said Marilyn Clark, President of Branch 70. Clark explained that finding money for the veterans has been an ongoing project, and it wasn't until 2002 when the Ride for a Vet started that they were able to reduce the number of unmarked graves. There are still 29 unmarked plots left and it costs approximately $600 for each tombstone. The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 70 has decided to pay for the purchase and installation of the rest of the headstones.
Go to our photo gallery feature under the community tab for more photos from the ride.
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