The Bikers of Central Kansas are holding a fundraising poker run/benefit ride for the Golden Belt Memorial Park Veterans’ Memorial project this Saturday.
 Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. at Ernies Bar and Grill, 619 Main, Great Bend. The second stop will be Lone Wolf, Ellinwood, the third stop will be the Old 40 Bar & Grill, Dorrance, the fourth stop will be The  Shop, 1205 W. K-40, Russell, and the final stop will be announced.  
 Last bike should be in by 3 p.m.
Food will be served at the final stop. Meal will be served at 3:30.
Those who took part in the poker run and purchased a poker hand can eat at no cost. Otherwise, the meal will cost $8 per person. 
Donations for the Golden Belt Veteran’s Memorial can be mailed in advance to Bikers of Central Kansas, 2210 26th, Great Bend, Kan. 67530
There will also be a prize drawing. A limited number of 250 $10 tickets are available.
First place is a $500 Visa gift card, second prize is a $100 card and third is a $50 card.
The memorial is a project of the Barton County Memorial Parks Advisory Committee. The objective is to build a veterans memorial at Golden Belt Memorial Park north of Great Bend. However, thus far, the committee has only raised $2,200 of the needed $55,000 for the project.
The memorial will feature representations of each branch of the military, including Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy and Merchant Marines (who received veterans status for the years 1942-46). A gray granite marker will contain emblems for each along with the inscription “A nation that forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten. This is but a small tribute to all the veterans whose names are forever etched on these tablets. We are eternally grateful for their service to this nation. All gave some, some gave all.”
The committee will accept the contribution of veterans’ names. These will be carved into tablets that flank the center stone. There will also be flags representing the branches of service.
In February 2012, the Barton County Commission approved plans for the fund drive. The memorial will be open to all veterans with Barton County ties, living or deceased.
 For more information on the ride, contact: Brad or Rae Ann Brack at 620-792-3934; Dan Kathrens  at 620-793-0421; Mike Henderson  at 620-617-1538; Randy Booze  at 620-804-0063; or any member of the Bikers of Central Kansas.