The Defenders Motorcycle Club of Tampa Supported the American Legion Riders of Post 138 in the Port of Tampa on their Faces of Courage Poker Run Sunday, 30 July 2006

The Defenders M/C of Tampa met before the scheduled run at a spoon on Gandy Blvd before going to the American Legion Post 138. We all ate well before beginning what was to turn out to be a long day or riding through Hillsborough and Pinellas County. The food was good, but the service left something to be desired. No one got the right checks and it took a while to sort things out. Then we saddled up and left for Post 138.

Paladin and his daughter took most of the pictures on this page.
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We were among the first to arrive at Post 138. We greeted friends already there and proceeded to register for the run and pick up our packages and T-Shirts. We got there so early we ended up lounging around the post for a couple hours enjoying the fine view and friendly atmosphere.





Snakebite tried to no avail to get Gunner on the phone.

	We just hung out for a while, had a couple cold ones and shot the breeze with our friends in the local biker community. It was turning out to be a good crowd. We all had in mind the cause that brought us all together and wanted to do what we could to help combat childhood cancer and help its victims.



Finally we hit the road. It got hot early and it was good to be moving.

The first stop was only a few miles away at TDY's Pub. We stopped and drew out first bean. After a short stay we moved on, riding down Bayshore and on to our next stop at Montee's Sports Bar.




Snakebite again tries to wake Gunner. Can you hear me now?








T-Backs is a laid back Key West style bar in Pinellas County. We cooled our heels for a while and prepared to ride back to Post 138 for the end of the run and our dinners. Everyone had worked up an appetite by now and we looked forward to pigging out by the bay.


Gunner finally dragged his sorry ass out of bed and made it in time to eat. Typical!	Two of the better looking members of the Defenders kick back and cool off after a long, hot ride.

When it was finally over we all had a great time. We done a good thing and supported a good cause. Nothing is more painful than loosing a child and hopefully this helped in the healing for the families and contributed a little to help keep it from happening again. As a father who has lost two sons himself I know how difficult it is move on. I pray the families of Shannon and Alyson will find some closure for their tremendous loss. Lets do it again next year.