TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- Whirling wind and an open road is every biker’s dream, but for one wounded warrior and brother, those dreams seem far away.
Bikers from all over the Morongo Basin came to help raise money to build a three-wheeled motorcycle for Staff Sgt. David Lyon, a member of the Wounded Warrior Regiment, during Phantom Fury Nomad Motorcycle Club’s first Poker Run, Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Lyon, was injured while serving in Afghanistan as a member of an Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit. He lost both legs at mid thigh and in addition sustained severe damage to his right arm and hand as well as internal injuries. He is receiving care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C.
“I fought with Dave in Operation Phantom Fury and this bike is for him,” said Joel Miller, the President of the Phantom Fury Nomad Motorcycle Club. “We have ridden motorcycles together and he doesn’t want to stop because of his injuries.”
Participants gathered at the Handlebar and Grill, in Palm Springs, Calif., to register, pick up their first card and receive the route.
“This is the first time we have done anything like this and it should have been done a long time ago,” said Allen Lambert, one of the organizers of the event.
Miller said registration went from 8-11 a.m. and by 9 a.m. there were more than 60 participants either at the first stop or on the road. By the end of the day, more than 80 bikers registered for the event.
Riders came with good spirits and seemed happy to help the wounded Marine.
Jeff Hemphill, one of the participants in the ride, said it was a good cause to participate in, and he plans to assist in building the trike.
The last stop for the bikers was Club Vo, Twentynine Palms, Calif., on the corner of Adobe and 2nd street, where they turned in their cards and recived a free meal during a post ride barbeque outside the building.
Melissa Morgan, a friend of Lyon and volunteer at the event, said “The bar has done quite a bit to help, including providing a drink special for the event.”
She also said some of the employees made baked goods to sell to help raise money.
After the poker ride artists from different local bands came and provided music for the first time at Club Vo from 2-6 p.m.
Miller said the bar also donated a percent of its sells that day. Besides the funds from the bar sells, the ride raised just under $3,000.
For more information on the Phantom Fury Nomad Motorcycle Club visit their Web site at http://www. PhantomFuryNomadMC.com, or for more information on Lyons’ condition visit http://www.themarinedavid lyon.blogspot.com.