Published: May 29, 2009 12:16 am      

Motorcycle run to benefit war vets

Menoher Post 155, Veterans of Foreign Wars in Geistown is sponsoring a motorcycle run on the anniversary of D-Day to raise money to prevent suicide among veterans returning from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Called the D-Day Mystery Run of Veterans of Foreign Wars, the event will be held on June 6, the anniversary of D-Day.

The event will start with a breakfast at Post 155, 651 Lamberd Ave., from 9 a.m. to noon, said Meichelle Bruce, a member of the post and a road captain for the event. The cost for the breakfast is $5 a person.

Registration is scheduled at the post from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The fee is $15 for each motorcyclist and $10 for their passenger, she said.

Passenger vehicles also are welcome with a $15 fee for each occupant, she said.

The motorcycles and vehicles will be blessed at 1 p.m. by a minister, who also is a veteran, with the run commencing at 1:15 p.m., she said.

American flags will be provided to those wishing to fly them.

The run will be 100 miles, with a number of stops being made along the way. No one will know the destination of each stop until they get there, hence the name Mystery Run, Bruce said.

All the proceeds from the breakfast and the run will go toward a suicide prevention program, developed by the Veteran’s Administration and Pennsylvania Army National Guard to help returning veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, she said.

A social event is scheduled after the run from 5:30 to

10 p.m. at the post with food, refreshments and door prizes available, Bruce said. A disc jockey, D.J. Co., is donating his time to provide music, she said.

Also helping with the event are the American Legion Riders, a motorcycle organization made up of American Legion members; the Road Dawgs, a motorcycle organization comprised of state police troopers; and the Patriots, a motorcycle organization from Windber that helps the community.

Bruce said some veterans returning from the Mideast are suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome and are not getting the psychological help that they need. Too many of them end up committing suicide, she said.

“This is important to us,” she said about the event. “We feel veterans are fighting for our country and it’s not fair that they can’t get the help for what they need when they come back.”

Bruce said people who don’t plan to ride in the event but still want to help can send a donation to Post 155, VFW, 651 Lamberd Ave., Johnstown, 15904.