Come see bikers do good

The USO is at the airport because you can't be.

I know you'd be there if you could. That's why when I've reminded you about the USO and how it is not supported by the government and how it never charges soldiers and their families for anything, you have come through.

Maybe you have helped because you were once in the service and far from home. Perhaps people you care about are in uniform now.

Or perhaps you just know it's the right thing to do.

Boy, do I have a deal for you.

You hear people talking about "comfort zones" and how occasionally you ought to get out of yours?

I'm not sure exactly what it means, either, but I think it has something to do with trying new things, things that make you call your best friend and say, "You won't believe what I did today."

Things like going to an all-day biker party to raise money for the USO.

I can't guarantee it won't be hot as blazes at our bash Saturday -- this is North Carolina, and this is August. I can't guarantee that you won't wake up the next morning wondering how you came to have that new tattoo. But sometimes you need to say, what the heck, let's do it.

Bikers from all over are coming together Saturday to do what they do best: ride, sweat, eat, have fun and raise money for worthwhile causes.

The USO Benefit Run is at the Iron Horse (formerly the Little Bar), a classic biker bar on U.S. 64 between Apex and Lake Jordan. Look for the red roof and all the bikes.

There will be a swap meet, a pig pickin' and bands playing all day and into the night. There's also a poker run -- you ride (or drive) to a succession of designated stops and draw a card, and at the end the best poker hand wins a prize. No, you don't have to have a motorcycle to participate -- just $30 and a good attitude.

Your $30 buys you a T-shirt, participation in the poker run and supper.

I know what you're thinking: that I'm just after your money. That I'd just as soon you send a check to the USO, P.O. Box 91443, Raleigh, NC 27675.

OK, it is about the money. Teri Ballough, interim director at the USO, says that every month, 2,500 military people and family members stop by the lounge at RDU. A lot of food and supplies are donated, but it takes money to keep the place running around the clock. Just yesterday, Ballough said, she spent $90 on sandwich meat and paper products. It's not a lot, but it adds up.

So yes, they need the bucks. But I have an ulterior motive. I want you to get to know those folks you see on bikes. I want you to see them doing good things. I want you to see them with their kids and families.

If you get to know us, maybe you'll try harder not to run into us on the highway. Just a few weeks ago, a woman on her bike was killed north of Raleigh when a careless driver pulled in front of her. The driver claimed not to have seen her.

Maybe if you get to know us, a few less of us will get killed or injured each year.

And what the heck, it's only $30, so stop by and help the USO live up to its motto: "Until every one comes home."

And no matter how hot it is in North Carolina, it's a lot hotter where they are.