The Barksdale Freedom Riders are sponsoring a Highway Run to raise money for Staff Sgt. David Flowers, a Barksdale Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician, who was injured during his recent deployment. The Highway Run mirrors a traditional Poker Run at motorcycle rallies nationwide.The event kicks off at 8:30 a.m. July 25th at the 8th Air Force Museum. There will be special guest speakers as well as EOD demonstrations. Riders will visit five locations where they pick up a playing card and have the opportunity to visit a sixth location for a wild card. The cost is $20 per rider and $10 per passenger and there will be a prize for the best poker hand. Also, the first 200 paid registrations will receive free t-shirts.
"Our goal is to make $8,000 for Sergeant Flowers," said Senior Master Sgt. Sanders Louiverre Jr., Barksdale Freedom Riders publicity officer. "As part of our Barksdale family, it's important that we help him out with any unforeseen expenses him and his family have. For people who don't ride or aren't motorcycle enthusiasts they can still donate money to the Sergeant Flowers fund."
All proceeds will go to Sergeant Flowers and his family to help fray the costs of being relocated to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. while he undergoes numerous surgeries and physical therapy.
Sergeant Flowers, who was deployed with the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, stepped on an anti-personnel mine May 11 while his team was clearing a weapons cache. In the explosion Sergeant Flowers lost his right leg below the knee. The blast also completely shattered his left and he subsequently broke his right wrist and hand. After the money is collected, Sergeant Flowers' flight superintendent will present the money to Sergeant Flowers' wife, Elizabeth.
The Times has posted a gallery of pictures of the run.
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