Smile

What makes Linda Behrends smile? “Family, helping my veterans, mostly family. I’m very big on family, and we’re a big family up here” said the 42-year-old Noblesville resident, who was found bartending an evening crowd at the Ralph Lehr VFW Post 6246 in Noblesville. “They come in for drinks, coffee, just somebody to talk to,” said Linda, president of the VFW auxiliary. “I enjoy the interaction with the veterans and hearing their stories and what they’ve done in their life.” Before working at the VFW, she was a certified nursing assistant for 22 years. “I’m just helping people in a different way now.” When she’s not at the VFW, she likes to spend time with her children. “We do a lot of activities, go to the pool…parks…” She has a husband, Eric, a disabled U.S. Army veteran and two kids, and she takes care of her nieces. She has lived in Noblesville since she was 5 years old and  graduated in 1999 from Noblesville High School. Behrends has reigned as the Loyalty Day Parade Queen but this weekend is looking forward to the Charity Ride for American Veteran Riders Association, which is at 8:30 a.m. Saturday beginning at the Ralph Leh VFW Post 6246. The charity ride, in its first year, is asking $15 per bike or vehicle, $5 per passenger; for non-riders food will be $5 per person including dessert. This charity event benefits the AVR Veteran’s Community Support Missions.Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with pre-ride meeting at 10:30 a.m. with kickstands up at 11 a.m., with dinner served afterward.