Saturday morning’s rain did not deter about 100 motorcyclists from taking to the road in the fifth annual Josh Davis Memorial Poker Run.
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Josh Davis of Perry was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2010. Davis was a 2009 graduate of Perry High School. He was 19 when killed.
Sign in for the memorial poker ride opened at 8 a.m. at the Kickstand in downtown Perry, and the ride started promptly at 10:30 a.m. Stops along this year’s route included the Owl’s Nest in Panora, Three Broke Girlz in Bayard, the Rush Inn in Glidden and Ferg’s in Grand Junction.
The ride concluded in Perry at the Elks Lodge, also the scene of the after-ride party, featuring a meal, live auction, silent auction and raffle.
All monies raised by the event enter the Josh Davis Memorial Fund. The fund’s activities include the Josh Davis Award at Perry High School and the upkeep and maintenance of the Josh Davis Plaza in downtown Perry. Retrieving Freedom, an organization that trains service dogs for returning veterans, also receives a portion of the charity donations.
The words of the American poet Stephen Crane are still relevant:
Mother whose heart hung humble as a button
On the bright splendid shroud of your son,
Do not weep.
War is kind.
Video courtesy PEGASUS TV 12 volunteer Doug Wood
https://youtu.be/mALUPL3uN68
