POCATELLO — Byron “Byroan” Roan, owner of Pocatello Cycle, was at a loss for words Tuesday morning, clearly emotional over what he saw when he arrived at his motorcycle shop.

    “I still don’t know what to think,” Byroan was able to utter a few minutes later. “I am at a loss.”

    What he found when arriving at work was the exterior of his shop, a long-time fixture on Yellowstone Avenue, cleaned up and freshly painted, something he and his wife, Jan Roan, had been trying to get done all summer  but just couldn’t find the time because of a busy business.

    “He’s a little overwhelmed right now,” Jan said. “He can’t believe this.”

    It was the POW*MIA Awareness Rally Association, with help from the Sherwin Williams store in Pocatello and local painting contractor Irish Painting, that got the job done. Jan said several people from the POW*MIA contacted her after hearing that they had given up trying to paint the building themselves and were looking for a contractor.

    Also emotional, Jan said she knew about it, but hadn’t seen the building until that morning.

    “I didn’t think they were going to do as much as they did,” she said. “I cant believe it. It’s unreal. It’s fabulous.”

    Jim Blake, aka “Sarge,” is currently the executive director of the Pocatello POW*MIA. He said it’s Byroan and Jan’s long-time commitment to their group that led them to step up and do something special for Pocatello Cycle.

    “Jan and Byroan have been with the organization since day one,” Blake said. “The organization wouldn’t be going into its 13th year without (Pocatello) Cycle and Jan and Byroan.”

    He said the couple were not only instrumental in bringing in some of the talent for the POW*MIA’s annual Motorcycle Rodeo, but they also shut down their business for several days to help organize and run the event each year.

    “As an organization, we just couldn’t think of a better way to say thank you,” Blake said.

    He said it’s also part of the POW*MIA’s program, Friends Helping Friends.

    “As a nonprofit we have always been friends with these people here, so it’s Friends Helping Friends,” he said.

    Pocatello Cycle has been in business 22 years, providing motorcycle equipment and accessories as well as repair services. Byroan said motorcycle customizing has traditionally been a big part of their business as well, but in recent years, with the difficult economy, many are opting to purchase completed bikes or repair their current one rather than customizing.

    Looking at the building Tuesday morning, Byroan managed some humor in the midst of his appreciation, saying he almost drove past the building because he didn’t recognize it.

    “It’s fantastic,” he said. “I am surprised, shocked. I am still kind of in awe.”