More than 80 motorcyclists and half again as many passengers rode out Saturday morning in the eighth annual Josh Davis Memorial Poker Run, an event honoring a Perry hero who died while serving in the U.S. military.
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Joshua M. 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.
Greg Haglund of the Perry Elks Lodge, which helps organize the annual poker run, welcomed the crowd, saying the annual ride honors Davis as well as all U.S. military veterans, especially those wounded or killed in the service of their country.
The riders were briefed on a minor change in the route, which would proceed first to Grand Junction via Jamaica. Riders were reminded the Josh Davis Memorial Poker Run “is an honor ride and not a party,” and sobriety was encouraged.
The Perry Scout Troop 127 then led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance before the kickstands were raised, and the 80-some motorcycles pulled away, following a flag vehicle provided by the Perry Volunteer Fire Department and with traffic-control assistance provided by the Perry Police Department.
Among the riders was Jim Clark of Des Moines, a member of the Iowa Patriot Guard Riders. The Patriot Guard Riders were founded in 2005 to shield families of fallen heroes from anyone who would disrupt the services of their loved ones. The all-volunteer organization now numbers thousands of members in all 50 states of the US.
The first stop was at the Josh Davis Memorial Plaza in downtown Perry. Keegan Birkicht and Sara Shadid, both of Waverly, shared the story of Retrieving Freedom, a charity benefitting from the annual Josh Davis Memorial Poker Run. With Tilly, a four-legged, 6-month-old friend at their sides, Birkicht and Shadid said Retrieving Freedom places about 20 dogs annually and has about 65 in training at any one time.
They said the service dogs assist veterans with physical disabilities, whether fetching items from the floor or helping one rise from a chair, and also veterans with anxiety or PTSD issues, whether calming a veteran in a crowd or waking him or her from a nightmare. Retrieving Freedom also places dogs with victims of autism spectrum disorder.
Among the two-wheeled poker runners was one who might be called a holy roller, and he said a prayer before the riders pulled out from the Josh Davis Memorial Plaza in downtown Perry. He offered up a prayer for a safe ride and a prayer of joy for Josh Davis’ niece, who just learned she is pregnant with her first child.
A prayer of hope was also offered for Lori Wulf of Perry, who had a medical emergency while traveling and is now in intensive care in a Liberty, Mo., hospital. Wulf’s friend Janet Richardson of Perry explained to ThePerryNews.com the Wulf family’s straitened circumstances.
“Lori’s husband, Terry, has been staying by her side and has not been able to work, therefore their debts are rising and are in need of some help,” Richardson said. “Also, if you know anyone who knows her and her family, Jerry and Trudy Lambert, and would like to help out for their finances, every little bit will help.”
Richardson said a fundraising account has been opened for Wulf at the Family Credit Union in Perry. For more information, call Richardson at 515-465-5224.
This year’s 88-mile circuit includes stops at taverns in Grand Junction, Boone, Slater and Woodward. At the end of the ride, a supper will be served at the Perry Elks Lodge, followed by a live auction, a 50/50 drawing and a poker hand drawing.
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 also receives a portion of the charity donations.
