We would like to express gratitude with a sincere thank you to all who participated and attended our first Blessing of the Bikes event on April 26.

Despite the weather that day deterring many from attending, we still had great attendance and are grateful that our event turned out to be a most memorable one with much camaraderie felt by all.

We would like to thank our ALR President Ken Couture, Post 58 Commander Len Ah Sing, Auxiliary President Sandy DeAngelis, SAL President Mark Creason and State Department Commander Judi Bieschel for their support in this special blessing.

A special thank you to our event MC/ALR Chaplain Jim Bieschel, Event Chair Pauline Fortier and all her committee for their volunteer hours. Musician ALR Rider Mike Browne for sharing his music talent for all to enjoy and for Pauline Fortier playing Taps for our fellow riders who have fallen.

To our Fountain Hills Fire Department Chief Randy Roberts and staff along with others from our community who attended our event.

Extra thanks to our Fountain Hills Times Editor Mike Scharnow for the great pictorial outline reflecting our Blessing of the Bikes event.

To our event speakers Councilman Marine veteran Tait Elkie, Sheriff Joe Arpaio sharing his memories along with his MCSO program being in place for hiring over 100 returning veterans in the last 12 months. To our Deacon Phil from the Church of Ascension who touched many hearts with heartfelt prayers and blessing to all for a safe riding season.

In closing, thank you to all and especially our American Legion Riders promoting this blessing event that proved to bring not only our Legion families together, but our community as well.

American Legion Post 58 welcomes you to stop by and say hello. We encourage your membership, fellowship to come and share our camaraderie.