By Marc Pica and Raven

On Saturday, May 11th the American Legion Riders Chapter 9, Flamingo Lake RV Resort and Dick’s Wings hosted the 7th Annual Boots on the Ground Poker Run and Concert to support K9sFor Warriors Foundation, The Florida Fallen Heroes Memorial Fund and Trees for America’s Troops. With over 1,000 people registered to ride and well over 3,000 people in attendance it was another great year of supporting these great Veterans organizations.

The weekend started on Friday with over 80 volunteers onsite to set up the Boots on the Ground, America Remembers Memorial Display which consists of over 3,000 boots, each with a picture of a Fallen Soldier or First responder that has perished since 9-11-01, their information and a flag. Friday Night kicked off the Pre-Ride party with about 300 people attending, with Fratello rocking the house.

On Saturday, the day of the Poker Run, KSU for the bikers was announce by a flyover by the Dreamland Squadron, a Hot Rod Car Show hosted by Callahan Cruisers and Golf Cart Poker Run added to the festivities. Dozens of the best biker gear vendors were on site as well to support. Saturday’s music line up was The Jacksonville Fire Fighters Pipes and Drums at 9:00AM, Creatures of Habit at Noon, Neon Whiskey at 3:30PM and Don’t Call Me Shirley at 7:00PM until 10PM. Once again, Staff Sgt. Tim Chambers, AKA the Saluting Marine from Rolling Thunder, was onsite to salute the riders as they left the Resort. Over 30 Vendors were on site and hundreds of great auction and raffle items were available to win. Make sure that you mark your calendars to be part of this great event each year. It is always the Saturday before Mother’s Day.