Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Some Real Angels Bikers Come From Nine States To Help Build Playground

Kevin Keating Staff Writer

A band of about 100 Vietnam veterans, most atop vibrating Harley-Davidsons, roared into the city on a mission Saturday.

The leather-clad bikers came from nine states, including Hawaii, to turn the dirt back yard at St. Vincent de Paul’s homeless shelter here into a playground for children.

“It started out as a small thing. We wanted some volunteers to help build some playground equipment,” said Melissa Mitchell, who works with St. Vincent de Paul’s program for homeless families.

“It turned out, we ended up with a Vietnam veterans motorcycle club that likes to do charity work for children.”

Many of the bikers met Saturday at the Flying J truck stop in Post Falls. The group fired up their heavily chromed machines and caravaned into Coeur d’Alene, drawing plenty of stares along the way.

“Those that don’t know us think of us as the stereotypical outlaw bikers,” said Mike “No Sleep” Mahoney who flew in from Hawaii to help with the project.

“But most people in Coeur d’Alene have been real friendly and receptive.”

The veterans gathered at the homeless center just north of downtown about 11 a.m.

The rough-looking crew greeted fellow veterans from other states with hugs, then swarmed over the project.

Teams installed underground sprinkler systems, built a gazebo, basketball court and playground equipment. The group also installed drywall at the nearby St. Vincent de Paul’s Women’s Shelter.

The entire project is to be completed today thanks to about $50,000 worth of materials and some labor donated by local companies.

“The response by the community and the veterans has been impressive,” said Mitchell. “We are thrilled the way this turned out. Seeing the (veterans) club riding down the highway was beautiful. It almost made me want to cry.”

The veterans shed their leather chaps, and vests as the day heated up, but their enthusiasm for the job never waned.

“It’s a worthwhile effort. Anytime we can do something for kids, it’s great,” said veteran “Mole” Marinan. Club members prefer to use their road names which are printed on patches and attached to their leather jackets.

“Anytime we can get together, enjoy each other’s company and help out kids, we try and do it,” added Mahoney.

Mahoney’s cousin, Bill, who also is a veteran and works for Coeur d’Alene Asphalt helped organize the project.

“We started calling our clubs in Washington and Montana and everyone was quick to respond,” said Mike Mahoney, who plans to leave Hawaii and move to Coeur d’Alene this summer.

The club is based on brotherhood, helping out communities, kids and remembering those who died or were left in Vietnam. It was that philosophy that brought the veterans from California, Colorado, Arizona, Oregon and other states to build a playground in Idaho.

“It’s real simple. When a brother asks for help we respond,” said “Pitstop,” a veteran who rode his Harley in from Kingston, Wash. “When we heard what this project was for, it only heightened our enthusiasm.”

The playground at the homeless shelter will provide a family picnic area and space for an art program for at-risk youth.

“We are just a bunch of brothers helping out a worthy cause. And, I’m here to show my support and do what I can,” said “Cadillac,” a veteran who rode from Oakland, Calif.

“Besides that, it was a beautiful day to ride.”