HomeContact UsPhoto AlbumOur Sponsors

Copy of October 3, 2005 Akron Beacon Journal article

 

HORSEPOWER FANS HONOR SLAIN MARINE, 22

HUNDREDS OF CAR, TRUCK, MOTORCYCLE ENTHUSIASTS TURN OUT AT FUND-RAISER FOR DISABLED VETERANS

Lisa A. Abraham, Beacon Journal staff writer

Lance Cpl. Daniel Nathan Deyarmin Jr. wasn't so much a car enthusiast as he was a "horsepower enthusiast."

So when his father's long-time friend wanted to find a way to honor the Marine, who died Aug. 1 in an attack in Haditha, Iraq, he knew that cars, trucks and motorcycles had to be in the plan.

So Ray Kozlowski came up with the idea of a poker run and cruise-in to help raise money in Deyarmin's memory.

That event, held Sunday, brought out thousands of other "horsepower enthusiasts" -- a term Kozlowski used to describe the 22-year-old Deyarmin -- and was expected to raise thousands of dollars for Disabled American Veterans in the Marine's honor.

Kozlowski said more than 1,500 motorcyclists entered the poker run, an event in which bikers collect playing cards at various checkpoints along a set route. The rider with the best poker hand at the end wins prizes.

Another 500 or so showed up to show off their classic and collector cars and trucks during the cruise-in at the parking lot at Summit Racing Equipment on Southeast Avenue.

Kozlowski said the 100 volunteers he had organized to help with the event were outnumbered by the thousands of participants and spectators.

Deyarmin's father, Daniel Sr., said he was overwhelmed by the response.

"I'm just so happy, and it's going for such a good cause, the Disabled American Veterans," he said.

The Tallmadge father added that he feared there would be a lot more troops either killed or disabled before the war is over.

He said the event was "a healing process" to be able to honor his son's memory while helping others.

"It's helped us so much," he said.

His wife, Edie Deyarmin, said the success of the event made her proud.

From the time her son was very young, she said, he was interested "in anything that had a motor."

"He always wanted to try to figure out how things worked,'' she said.

Kozlowski, of Brimfield, said he was returning home from a motorcycle trip to Yellowstone National Park when he learned of Deyarmin's death. Any parent, he said, can feel the pain of the loss a child and he wanted to find a way to help.

 

Page 1: 2005 Event Photos
Page 2: More 2005 Event Photos
Page 3: October 3, 2005 Akron Beacon Journal Article
Page 4: May 1, 2006 Akron Beacon Journal Article
Page 5: Photos of items purchased with funds