HERALD PHOTO BY LINDA HUGHES

The sign at the entrance to the Charlotte County Fairgrounds announces the third annual Veterans in Need Benefit Poker Run.

HERALD PHOTO BY LINDA HUGHES

Leroy Mobely, Stephen Nowell, Fred Carley, Danny Hubbard, John Kalena and Jerry Baumgartner are part of the honor guard for chapter 1037 of the Vietnam Veterans of America. The men participated in the pre-ride ceremony at the Charlotte County Fairgrounds.

HERALD PHOTO BY LINDA HUGHES

Jeff Burnett and Dawn Dawson ride up to the event, which started and ended at the Charlotte County Fairground.

HERALD PHOTO BY LINDA HUGHES

Joe and Lynn Wintermeyer, members of the Veteran Motor Car Club of America, assisted with the poker run.

HERALD PHOTO BY LINDA HUGHES

David Martin shows his tattoos, depicting some historic points in the Vietnam War. Martin was one of the riders who participated in the Patriot Riders' poker run.

HERALD PHOTO BY LINDA HUGHES

Tim Key, president of the Patriot Riders of America, greets Marianne Chapmanat the Charlotte County Fairground. Machella Brown, left, sang "The Star Spangled Banner" during a ceremony held before participants set out on the poker run.

HERALD PHOTO BY LINDA HUGHES

Motorcycles stand ready for their riders at the Charlotte County Fairgrounds before the Patriot Riders' poker run.

HERALD PHOTO BY LINDA HUGHES

Dale "Hound Dog" Smith assists his wife "Peppermint Patti," also known as Patti Smit,h with a wrist band before the Poker Run.

HERALD PHOTO BY LINDA HUGHES

During the “Pledge of Allegiance,” 89-year-old U.S. Merchant Marine, Army Veteran Felix De Rosa places his cap over his heart.

HERALD PHOTO BY LINDA HUGHES

Dan Myers, vice president of the Patriot Riders, and Tim Key, president, receive a donation from color guard members Danny Hubbard, John Baumgartner, Stephen Nowell, John Kalena and Fred Carley. The donation was one of several received during the fundraiser.

SUN FILE PHOTO
David Martin and Randy Glenn participate in the third annual Patriot Riders' Veterans in Need Benefit Poker Run in Port Charlotte.