Louisiana biker to receive AMVETS honors

West Monroe, Louisiana’s best known motorcyclist — Jimmy “Squirrel” Langston — will join a select company of people that includes Barbara Bush, Dolly Parton and former Green Bay Packer Brian “Bart” Starr.

Langston was recently announced as the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Humanitarian Award winner.

Langston and his wife, Sherry, participate in the Ride for Jerry’s Kids Poker Run, one of the numerous charity events that motorcycle lovers take part in each year. He said he was excited by the award.

“I’m elated,” Langston said. “I still can’t believe it. Some dude from West Monroe accepting an award of that nature.”

The humanitarian award has been given in the past to some significant figures, including former first ladies Bush, Hillary Clinton and Nancy Reagan, as well Parton and Starr.

Langston is scheduled to receive that award at the 2011 AMVETS Silver Helmet Awards Banquet at the Hilton Washington Dulles in Herndon, Va., this Saturday.

Ginger Joyner, who works at the local AMVETS post on Armand Street and nominated Langston, said she was surprised he was to be honored.

“One of the rules was it had to be a non-member,” Joyner said. “We’re all very proud of him.” Joyner said she has worked on the poker run with Langston over the last four years.

Langston said his four children and seven grandchildren are relatively healthy, so he takes part in the poker run for MDA to help those in need.

“I figured, if I’m going to help people, I want to help a lot of people,” Langston said. “Not just one person. That’s where I get my reward, helping others.”

Langston said he is happy to help charities like MDA because of their wide reach.

“I think they have about 400 or so clients locally,” Langston said. “These kids have every day needs that have to be met.”

Langston said his award from AMVETS reflects the work of many people who help out during the charity runs and said he did not want to be put “on a

pedestal.”

“At one time, bikers had this image that wasn’t very good,” Langston said. “Our local biker community wanted a better image.”

Langston and his wife rode in the inaugural Poker Run for muscular dystrophy in 1984.

Over time, they became more involved, and now find themselves among the event’s leaders.