HOG Chapter Liaison, Ben Patten, put together a Recruit Support Ride for 5 U.S. Marine recruits and 1 Navy recruit who left for boot camp at 2:00pm. Ben put out an e-mail and asked everyone to pass the word. For these important events, HOG invites all riders, regardless of the type of motorcycle they ride, to come out and support these future veterans as they leave on a voyage of support to the United States.
This Monday gave us some great riding weather with temperatures in the mid to upper 80’s. The traffic was a little on the heavy side due to the holiday weekend but the group managed to make it safely.
I had the pleasure of escorting Tammi Onsum on this ride. Hal Onsum had to work and couldn’t make it and my better half was doing some wedding shopping for the family so Tammi and I rode over to support the recruits. This day had a special meaning for Tammi as her son’s best friend was joining the Marines a year after Keith joined.
The family was grateful to see Tammi and our group of about 60 bikes. I found out that had I not had Tammi on the bike, I would have had the pleasure of taking Sgt. Brittian, one of the recruiters on the ride. Instead, Sgt. Brittian rode with Chuck Alberti.
While we were waiting for the recruits to leave, the mother of Keith’s best friend chimed in that she would sure like to ride with the group to pay tribute to her son. John Cleveland spoke up and just happened to bring an extra helmet so she climbed aboard for her first ride on a Harley to escort her son down the freeway on his trip south.
The very large group managed to get assembled on the freeway and travel down to Laval Road in unison. Just after passing Sandrini Road, the leaders took the number 3 lane along with the van and allowed the riders to pass by and salute or wave.
HOG has taken the reins of these support rides and they continue to grow. Each time, riders come together to support these young Americans as they leave to participate in the protection of this great country. Nothing gives me more pride than shaking the hand of these brave young men and women and thanking them for their personal sacrifice to make and keep the United States the great country that it is.
We’ll have another Recruit Support Ride in the near future. Instead of sitting on the couch, get out and ride with us and show your support for our military young. On a day like Memorial Day, it means so much more to say “thank you” for you upcoming service.
See you at the next Recruit Support Ride
Dave Fisher
Director
Bakersfield HOG Chapter 1580