North Dakota - Freedom Riders Raise Big Bucks For DAV

OFF THE WIRE
Kristin Clouston
 kfyrtv.com
A lot of groups in our area do what they can to help those who have served our country, but one club is making a difference in big way.
The final numbers won`t be in until tomorrow, but the Freedom Riders motorcycle club raised at least $25,000 today for disabled vets.
This is 31st year the Freedom Riders have held their motorcycle classic, and while there are plenty of beautiful bikes,the big draw at this show is the Saturday auction.
Tim Kellar explained, "We turn around and give them all of the money. 100% of it to the DAV. It`s the Adam Klein Chapter 3, that transfers our vets from Bismarck to Fargo to the VA hospital down there and it also helps them with things they`re in need of like medicine, rent, anything, a bill here or there. They`ve helped us so much we want to give back to them."
Entrants have 53 bikes on display, from North Dakota, South Dakata, Montana and Minnesota,
Krystal Strand said, "Some of the ones I really enjoy seeing are the ones that have been restored from old bikes from the 20`s, 30`s 40`s. To see the work people put in these and the passion they have restoring those bikes is pretty amazing."
Bill Cullen explained, "Basically what I brought to the show was three motorcycles. The oldest and the most rarest is a 1925 Harley JD. Most people only see them in museums, so we try to get it out, let people see it."
Cullen literally rebuilt the bike from the ground up.
He said, "3 years! My wife said she was a Harley widow for 3 years."
The event usually draws between 3,000 and 3,500 people a year,
Dwight Bleatan explained, "It`s gets everybody out for spring. Everybody gets excited to ride. It`s kind of the start of it."
Final attendance numbers won`t be in until Sunday night, but this could be one of the Freedom Riders biggest shows.
The bike show rev up again tomorrow at 10 am.
Judges will be awarding trophies between 2 - 3 pm at the Ramkota Inn.
Helicopter rides along the Missouri River are also being offered.