55th RQS launches Angel Thunder with charity motorcycle event at D-M

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Tony Laylon
  • 55th Rescue Squadron
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  More than 60 motorcycle riders from around the nation participated in the first Angel Thunder Poker Run at Davis-Monthan April 9, benefiting the That Others May Live Foundation.

The charity event, sponsored by the 55th Rescue Squadron Booster Club, kicked off the Angel Thunder 2010 personnel recovery exercise, and raised $1,800 for TOML, a charity that provides social and financial support to families of fallen search and rescue personnel.

"A poker run was an excellent way to kick off the Angel Thunder exercise," said Capt. David Fink, a pilot with the 55th RQS. "Incorporating an important charity like TOML, which focuses on the rescue community was simply the right thing to do."

Riders started the event at Heritage Park, where they were given a poker score sheet and a map of "shue stops" in the Tucson and Vail area, where they collected playing cards for their poker hand. Grand prizes were awarded to the high and low hand according to the poker rules of Five Card Stud, and the run ended with a barbecue and raffle at Bama Park.

Col. Billy Thompson, 563rd Rescue Group commander, took a few moments after the ride to speak about TOML and to thank volunteers and participants for making the event not only successful, but also safe, which was a key emphasis for the poker run.

"The Air Force has many hazardous jobs and operates in dangerous places," said Capt. Jared Ostroski, 55th RQS. "It's a good idea to have events which focus on safety and runs like this one do just that."

The event also drew large support from the local businesses, said Staff Sgt. Jason Stitt, 55th RQS. "The massive support from the community has been really amazing."

More than $5,000's worth of cash and prizes were donated to TOML for the event by local business including: Bank of Tucson, J & M Corp., Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, Desert Diamond Casino, Holmes Tuttle Ford, Jim Click, Renegade Classics, Performance Cycle Center, Big Sky Motorcycles, Victory Motorcycles, Iron Horse Motorcycles, Sparks, Kanella's, ESS Eyewear, Hydra, Mission One, Performance Fitness, The Arizona Cancer Center, The Hog Pit, Montgomery's Bar and Grill, McMahon's Prime Steakhouse, Buddy's Grill, Gifts Galore and Simply Perfect Nails.

Tech. Sgt. Tony Laylon, 55th RQS, and Staff Sgt. Kevin Welander, 563rd Operational Support Squadron, created the event with the mindset that "Poker Runs benefit worthy causes, increase public visibility of the Air Force, and promote camaraderie among Airmen," and they look forward to kicking off Angel Thunder 2011 with another Motorcycle Poker Run next year.