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Sentinels of Freedom, the group that helps wounded soldiers return to civilian life, has two opportunities for people to have fun while helping out wounded veterans.

The first is a two-day golfing event to be held at the Diablo Country Club in Sept. 16 and 17. People can golf, attend a dinner and auction, or do both, but those who sign up for the dinner will have the opportunity to hear Col. Danny McKnight U.S. Army (Ret.), who served in Somalia in 1993.

McKnight's mission in Somalia was the basis for the book and movie Black Hawk Down, where Tom Sizemore played his role. Col McKnight has recently released his own book: "Streets of Mogadishu."

Dinner guest will each receive a copy of the book and the opportunity to have it signed.

"Understand this, I am quite possibly the most 'politically incorrect' person in America, McKnight said, explaining, "the book projects this through my honesty, truthfulness, opinions and beliefs."

Cocktails will be served at 4 p.m. with dinner at 5:30 and McKnight set to speak at 7 and the auction to begin at 7:45. Golf check ins will start on Monday at 9 a.m.

Tickets for the entire event are $425; for the dinner and auction alone the cost is $150, with the dinner and auction for eight guests running $1,000; Sentinels of Freedom committed to being "quiet professionals" who keep overhead costs to a minimum.

The second Sentinels event is a fundraising bike ride set for Sept. 22. Dubbed the Veterans Victory Velo, there are four options, running from a 100-mile "century" ride to a 15-mile family fun outing. The cost for each starts at $50, with the first two people who raise $10,000 in sponsorships awarded two tickets each to ride in an authentic Vietnam War era UH-1D Huey helicopter.

Sentinels of Freedom offers fundraising tips; the the rides begin and end at the organization's parking lot, 2678 Bishop Drive in San Ramon. Registration begins at 6 a.m.

The family ride runs up and down San Ramon Valley Blvd, while the century ride will climb to the ranger station on Mt. Diablo, around Morgan Territory before heading into Livermore before heading back.

Commemorative jerseys are for sale, too, at $65 apiece.

More information is available at the group's website.

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