Vets for Vets; motorcycle event draws more than 2,000 participants

Vets for Vets was held Saturday with over 2,000 motorcyclists and guests descending upon the Overton Brooks Veteran's Hospital in Shreveport.  A parade of bikes left the facility at 1pm and rode by onlookers, revving their engines; many veterans wheeled their chairs outside to see this exciting annual event in their honor.  The route took riders down Clyde Fant and Teague Parkways where they made a special loop through the circular parking lot of the Northwest Louisiana War Veterans Home to the delight of residents. 

Vets for Vets always takes place on a Saturday near Veteran's Day and raises money for our hospitalized veterans.  No doubt, because the event is held near Barksdale Air Force Base, in a military community, there are no lack of supporters.  The pride of service is evident in this area, and there was flag waving, saluting, hand shaking and reverence for the service men and women in uniform who attended the event.  The flag was flying at half staff to honor those who recently lost their lives at Ft. Hood in a senseless shooting spree.  Everyone came together in a show of support, comraraderie and pride for our veterans and those currently serving.  Darrel Carver entered his Arlen Ness chopper, a tribute bike to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.  On a poster displayed near the bike, Darrel wrote "This chopper is dedicated not only to the three fallen heroes depicted on the rear fender, SPC Rush M. Jenkins, age 22, SGT Daniel L. McCall, age 24, and PFC Cody M. Carver, age 19 who paid the ultimate price for freedom on October 30, 2007, but also to the thousands who fell before them in the wars of the past and those who have fallen behind them in the ongoing War on Terrorism in the Middle East and to those who continue to lay their lives on the line in the name of FREEDOM.  We salute you and we owe you a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid."

The photo on the tank of the chopper is PFC Cody M. Carver, Darrel Carver's son.  PFC Carver gave his life for freedom along with two other soldiers when the Bradley tank they were in struck an IED (improvised explosive device).

As is fitting for a Veteran's Day event, the chopper also won "Best of Show". 

As he accepted the award, Mr. Carver took the microphone and thanked all Vets for their service; as he held up the trophy, he tearfully said "this is for you, son, up in heaven looking down, and this is for all the vets, thank you". Other winners were:  2nd place in the custom class Danny McCrary with a Covington Custom

Trike:  1st place Ken DeFrank, 2nd place Lisa Ware

Cruiser:  1st place Rena DeFrank with a 2009 Night train , 2nd place Ron Delaney with his Tribal Springer

Bagger:  1st place Gary Towers, 2nd place Jimmy Beattie, both with HD Ultra Classics

Sport Bikes:  1st place Brenda Towers with her 2003 V ROD, 2nd place Matt Rigdon with a 2008 Suzuki Gladius

Metric:  1st place Rick Friddle with a 1999 Valkrie Int., 2nd place Ebenezer Hirston with a 2003 Honda VTX 1800 C

And finally, People's Choice went to Becky Abbitt with her custom trike.

In addition to the bike show, there was a Mayoral proclamation, music, food, vendors, a silent auction, bike games and a 50/50 door prize.  Theresa Sullivan, ABATE, did a wonderful job of joining together all the local motorcycle groups and clubs in a common goal to not only honor our veterans, but back up our commitment to them by raising much needed money for their hospital care.

*All Photos by Mary Baker; For more photos, visit RAZ photos.

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