Members of the U.S. Veterans Motorcycle Club of Cass County sure like to have fun as they ride, then stop to set up a tent to host an auction, sell vegetables or pass out important, informative literature.
Whatever it takes.
They are into supporting others, especially other veterans.
"We're not an outlaw club," said Mouse, the current president.
"We aren't it in for ourselves," Mouse said. "So we each have a road name, what we go by when we're on a mission. We want people to support the veterans, not us."
Here are the names of the seven who were at the "Fight Like a Champion" fundraising festival in Linden recently: Mouse, Superman, Rifleman, Ole Man, Ranger, Pop-Eye and Joker.
The seven are connected with the Linden and Hughes Springs VFW posts and ride at various times of the year to add color and enthusiasm for festivals, especially ones that raise funds for good causes.
They are especially eager to give out the veterans' hotline telephone number and information about support agencies that help veterans.
"We're a brotherhood," Rifleman said. "And I'm so proud to say we know of two veterans we have saved by giving them the number and encouragement to call. They told us after making the call, they didn't carry through on the suicide they had planned. That's what is needed. Some of these vets are desperate."
The motorcycle club says it tries other ways to help vets, including giving money.
"We don't hand them money," Mouse said. "But we pay a bill, buy food, pay rent. We try to keep them going. Get them to VA, steer in the right direction. Everyone of us has been in the service, and that's the love that all of us for each other."
The U.S. Veterans Motorcycle Club is nationwide, the club members said, having started in Long Island, New York.
The three chapters in Texas are in Killeen, the Hill Country and the group in Cass County.
"That's about 400 members nationwide. We have eight members here," Mouse said.
One veteran club member gave his complete name because, he said, he and his wife sell vegetables throughout the year as another way to support the veterans.
"We set up during the week near Wal-Mart in Atlanta," said William and Tammy Johnson of Hughes Springs.