Joshua Cope lost both of his legs last fall when a roadside bomb exploded outside his Humvee in Iraq.

Sgt. Joshua Cope said, "We hit the land mine and I got blown like 20 feet from the Humvee, and I remember looking up saying, ‘oh god, oh god.’"

For the past eight months the young soldier has been rehabilitating in San Diego. While Cope's wife Erica and his daughter Laney are cheering on his recovery in California, back home people are doing all they can to show their support to the young man.

Over 100 bikers gathered Saturday morning for a poker run at the VFW post in Panama City Beach to benefit Sgt. Joshua Cope.

Louis Gigis of Louie's Florida Grill said, "Believe it or not, bikers do good things too. When I presented this to two or three of the organizations I belong to, they jumped right in."

The poker run sent the bikers on a long ride for the perfect hand. Participants hit up several local businesses, drew their cards, and were off to the next location.

Harley Ryan, a poker run rider, said, "We've done about 102 miles so far. We're having a good time."

After the run bikers met back at the VFW to enjoy food, fellowship, raffle prizes, and live music. Bikers paid $10 for each hand. Half of the money collected will go to Cope and his family.

Georgia McGuire of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 10555 said, "I think the finances gained from this is not the dollar issue itself; it's symbolic of society saying we know what you've done and we thank you very much."

Cope returns home next Sunday. There will be a homecoming celebration at the Marina Civic Center beginning at 3:00 p.m.