Published April 13. 2022 02:45PM
Sunday afternoon was windy, cloudy and cold, but it didn’t deter a handful of brave bikers from the Legion Rider Chapter 927 from showing up at West End Memorial American Legion Post 927 in Gilbert to have their spring bike blessing from the Rev. Robert Simon of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Gilbert.
Husband and wife Marie and Jason Rice of Kunkletown said they had no idea the wind would be so cold.
“If it hadn’t gotten so cold and windy we might have taken a ride after the blessings, but now all I want to do is get home out of the wind,” Marie Rice said.
“We will be doing a blessing again on May 14 and hopefully the weather will be much warmer,” said Gary Spears, vice president of the Legion Riders.
The Rev. Robert Simon of Our Lady Queen of Peace in Gilbert reads Scripture from his Bible and recites the Lord's Prayer as riders, James Mannix, left, the historian of the American Legion Post 927, holds the holy water the Rev. Robert Simon will use to bless the bikes. Marie and Jason Rice of Kunkletown, Eileen McGuire, President of the Legion Auxiliary Unit 927, and Kevin Bush, look on and try to stay warm.
Members of the West End Legion Riders wait for the Blessing of the Bikes to begin.
Nicole Ambrose of Stroudsburg bows her head in prayer. AMY LEAP/TIMES NEWS
Legion Riders Chaplain Keith Miskelly and the Rev. Robert Simon of Our Lady Queen of Peace enjoy a moment before going out into the cold to bless the bikes.
Kevin Bush of Kunkletown waits for the Blessing of the Bikes to start.
Marie and Jason Rice of Kunkletown wait for the Rev. Robert Simon to start the blessing.