By CPL Lameen Witter
NYC Public Affairs

5/16/05, NEW YORK - The Orange County Choppers (OCC), in association with the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and the Fisher House Foundation, held an auction at the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum on May 5.

The famed biker trio of the Discovery Channel's hit series, American Chopper, came up with the idea for the Support Our Troops auction after being inspired from a recent visit to the Walter Reed Medical Center, where they met wounded Marines and soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Before Christmas we went to Walter Reed Medical Center, and it had a great impact on us. After seeing all head trauma and amputees, we decided to give away a lot of our stuff to help. It means a lot to us, and it's the least we can do. We feel a certain responsibility to the men and women in our military," said Paul, Jr., donning his signature cap.

The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund presents grants of an initial $10,000 to each family of a fallen service member from the current war against terrorism. The fund also awards an additional $5,000 dollars per child, and has helped families transition through the loss of their loved ones since 2000.

The Fisher House Foundation builds "comfort homes" in the areas of veterans' medical centers, so family members can stay near their injured loved ones during treatment at a fraction of the cost of normal lodging.

The auctioned items consisted of American Chopper paraphernalia from the show, as well as autographed sports items and three custom choppers designed by the OCC. All the proceeds of the auction went toward the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and the Fisher House Foundation.

Marine CPL Elizabeth A. Quinones of 6th Communications Battalion performed the National Anthem at the auction.

"I'm honored to be here representing the Marine Corps. I think this event is brilliant. I've been to a fundraiser before and one of the things it was for was wounded veterans. I just think it's brilliant," said the New York native.

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