Riders rumble through Tehachapi collecting ‘Funds for Freedom’
Riders rumble through Tehachapi collecting ‘Funds for Freedom’
By: Kari and Orion Sanders
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Posted by editor Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
Viewed 622 times
0 responses 1 comment As recent Tehachapi High School graduate Sean Kelly finished playing the National Anthem, approximately 650 bikes rode out of the Tehachapi VFW Post 5948. This burst of American pride raised the excitement and reminded everyone exactly what they were riding for. Funds for Freedom organized the Fourth Annual Veterans Mountain Run held on Saturday, June 30 and it was sponsored by Antelope Valley Harley Davidson.
The Fourth Annual Veterans Mountain Run started on Friday night with a pre check-in party that brought riders from various parts of the western states to fill the hotels and check out the rockin' tunes of the band, “Moxie Blues.”
The next morning, riders lined up in front the VFW Post 5948, who hosted the event, ready to ride and to support Funds for Freedom's cause. The participants signed up and the party became a reunion for many friends and riders that had made this one of the must attend events of the summer.
Funds for Freedom has been raising money for the construction of a memorial park at the soon to be built National Veterans Cemetery located between Tehachapi and Bakersfield, just off Highway 223.
The color guards led the bikes down the boulevard to the waving flags of the many locals who lined the street to see the parade of bikes. With the support of the Tehachapi City Police, the bikes rolled through the intersections, and to the first stop, the California City VFW.
The riders were further honored by the California City Police escorting them straight to the VFW. They then lined up down the street to get their poker cards stamped; thankfully the F3 crew kept the line moving and everyone grabbed some drinks and headed for the mountains.
They then headed up Highway 14 through Red Rock Canyon, then onto Highway 178 and cresting Walker Pass.
Riding west into the Kern River Valley is one of the best areas in these mountains as you head towards Lake Isabella, which was exactly where the next stop was, Lake Isabella VFW Post 7665.
The bikes took their time and enjoyed the beautiful mountain landscapes through Havilah and Caliente where they met back up with Highway 58 for their next stop at Keene Cafe`. From there they rode up Tehachapi-Woodford Road, to see the Tehachapi Loop and back up the mountain to where it all started.
As soon as everyone rolled in they where greeted with cold drinks and the tunes of “Instant Karma.”
Funds for Freedom then began the presentations as everyone was directed to a banner dedicated to Tehachapi’s fallen veterans of the past year. Soon after Mayor Ed Grimes spoke to the group, showing his support for veterans and Funds for Freedom.
Charlene Collins, a local painter, then presented an original painting to the father of Cpl. Joseph Anzack, Jr. an Iraqi POW who was recently found.
The rest of the night was full fun, with the “Joe Walla Band,” raffles and prizes, and the winners of the “Ride-In Bike Show,” new to this year's event.
Approximately 1,100 people came and enjoyed the music, vendors, and bikes. F3 would like to thank everyone for supporting their cause and showing their respect to the men and women who fight to keep this country free.
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Sat Jul 14, 2007 18:38:57 PDT
Awesome Run it was my first ride on my new bike, you can't imagine the power of all those bikes starting up at once it’s a feeling I can’t put into words. Most of all the money goes to a good cause.
