Sunday, May 29, 2011

Biker club steps up to aid veterans, kin

OFF THE WIRE
Stacy Gittleman
The gray skies were pretty hard to ignore and shake off last week. I'm hoping that for this Memorial Day weekend and the weeks that follow, we get nothing but blue skies for the upcoming events that honor our local military families, veterans and those who have fallen in battle.

Greg Cody, owner of Brimont Catering and Deli in Webster and a veteran of the U.S. Navy, is one busy person who also wants sunny weather. When he is not building his catering business, he volunteers at Webster's American Legion Post 942. He helped organize the town's Memorial Day Parade and the newly-formed American Legion Riders Bike Club. The club, one of only three such groups in Monroe County, has planned its first Steak and Ice Cream Ride fundraiser Sunday, June 5, to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project as well as local military families in need.

"I try my best to get other veterans involved. We veterans have lots of skills. We are landscapers, plumbers, electricians and even chefs. There are many ways we can help out veterans or a family who has someone currently serving overseas," he said.

The daylong event that features a round-trip ride from the post in Webster to Lynny Lu's Ice Cream shop in Naples, begins with a 9 a.m. $20 registration at the start point at 818 Ridge Road in Webster. The ride starts at 11:30 a.m. Non-bikers who want to support the cause can register throughout the day for the dinner. When the bikers return, the dinner will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. with entertainment provided by the band Jonny B and the MVPs. There also will be a 50/50 raffle.

For this weekend's Memorial Day Parade in Webster, members of the bike club will be marching with other veterans from the post, which boasts more than 500 members. The parade is at 9 a.m. Monday, May 30, starting at Spry Middle School, 119 South Ave. The parade ends at 10:30 with a ceremony at the Webster Rural Cemetery.

Greg joined the Navy during the First Gulf War. He started out working in ship operations, but it wasn't long before he realized he had a knack for flavors and creating recipes. So, he switched over to kitchen duties on the ship.

"I try my best to get other veterans involved. We veterans have lots of skills. We are landscapers, plumbers, electricians and even chefs. There are many ways we can help out veterans or a family who has someone currently serving overseas," he said.

The daylong event that features a round-trip ride from the post in Webster to Lynny Lu's Ice Cream shop in Naples, begins with a 9 a.m. $20 registration at the start point at 818 Ridge Road in Webster. The ride starts at 11:30 a.m. Non-bikers who want to support the cause can register throughout the day for the dinner. When the bikers return, the dinner will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. with entertainment provided by the band Jonny B and the MVPs. There also will be a 50/50 raffle.

For this weekend's Memorial Day Parade in Webster, members of the bike club will be marching with other veterans from the post, which boasts more than 500 members. The parade is at 9 a.m. Monday, May 30, starting at Spry Middle School, 119 South Ave. The parade ends at 10:30 with a ceremony at the Webster Rural Cemetery.

Greg joined the Navy during the First Gulf War. He started out working in ship operations, but it wasn't long before he realized he had a knack for flavors and creating recipes. So, he switched over to kitchen duties on the ship.

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20110527/NEWS0210/105270301/-1/COLUMNS/Biker-club-steps-up-aid-veterans-kin

If you go

What: American Legion Riders Steak and Ice Cream Ride.
When: Sunday June 5. Registration begins at 9 a.m., ride at 11:30 and dinner from 3 to 6 p.m.
Where: American Legion Post 942, 818 Ridge Road, Webster.
Cost: $20 for steak dinner to benefit local veterans and the Wounded Warrior Project.
Information: (585) 546-1081 or email chefcody72@yahoo.com.