Jim and Char Swire and their friends have done a good deed for the children of American soldiers.

With their fundraiser for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation recently, they raised $1,200 for families of American Special Forces members killed in overseas wars.

Thirty-eight motorcycle riders showed up at the Swires' Firehouse Pub in downtown Lake Oswego on Aug. 11.

'We had a lot of friends show up, but it was open to anyone who had a motorcycle,' Jim Swire said. 'Anyone who can ride.'

Riders came from far and wide, including Washington, San Francisco and one rider all the way from Louisiana. One supporter in attendance was a Special Forces member in World War II.

Once the motorcyclists left the Firehouse Pub they went on a three-day tour with stops to view the Spruce Goose in McMinnville as well as New-port, Bend, Hood River and Ellensberg.

This was the second year for the Swires to host the event at the Firehouse Pub and the fifth year it was held in the U.S.

A tragic example of the need for such a program came on Aug. 7 in Afghanistan when members of the Taliban shot down a Chinook helicopter. On board were eight Afghans and 30 Americans, including several Navy Seals who served in the unit that killed Islamic terrorist leader Osama bin Laden.

About one-third of the local cyclists attended the memorial service for the fallen Amer-icans in Washington, D.C.

The SOWF has been especially effective at raising funds to help the children of fallen soldiers go to college.