As members of Madera American Legion Post #11 prepared for the arrival of veterans, a roar of motorcycles approaching on Road 26 could be heard. The bikers of American Legion Riders Chapter 11 escorted a half-dozen vans into the parking lot. The vans carried nearly 30 patients from the Veterans Affairs hospital in Fresno.
Saturday would be a day of honor, sunshine, ceremony, camaraderie and a barbecue for the patients as the local Legion provided relief from the doldrums of hospitalization. The day’s activities also included a solemn and official flag retirement ceremony.
A color guard from Design Science High School of Fresno presented the colors before the flag salute. Post chaplain John W. Rose Jr. gave the invocation. Program coordinator Mike Harris welcomed the veterans from the hospital.
“This is the first program of this kind in Madera and we hope to make it an annual event,” said Harris...