Warm welcome for cyclists

By Salome Worch, Contributing Writer

On Sunday, Feb. 19, the people of Tehachapi braved wind and cold to give a warm welcome to the "Wall to Wall" riders on the first day of their 100-day fund-raising cycle-athon for returning and wounded veterans.

Iraq War veterans Jeremy Staat and Wesley Barrientos and Vietnam vet Dale Porter set out on a 100-day ride from the Wall of Valor in Bakersfield to the Vietnam memorial wall in Wash., D.C. -- and Tehachapi was their first stop.

The morning was misty and chilly, but VFW members were out from 6:30 am, putting up U.S. flags along both sides of Tehachapi Boulevard in preparation. High school students who had heard Jeremy's inspirational talk at their school had been out selling raffle tickets, flags and donation stickers since 8:30 a.m. Cheryl Graham Wilson, who had set up the Jeremy Staat Foundation information booth at 8:30 a.m. said she was grateful for the Tehachapi Depot Museum's suggestion to set up under the depot's sheltered awning. With windchill, it was bitterly cold out.

The VFW opened their bake sale at 10 a.m., and offered a number of prizes to be drawn during the day -- including Omaha steaks, locally made jewelry, and gift cards.

"And the winners don't have to be here for the draw," Commander Rick Keehmer said with a twinkle.

To keep kids entertained during the wait, there was a petting zoo and a bounce house at Railroad Park.

Tehachapi businesses went all out in their support for the event. Burger Spot had pledged 20 percent of the day's sales to the JSF. TK's Pizza and Pasta was donating 40 percent of the day's sales between 11 and 4 to the foundation. Mano Lujan, proprietor of the Red House BBQ had pledged 100 percent of the day's sales to the JSF, plus all his staff were donating their services for the day. Mano himself was up from 4 a.m., to prepare the 700 pounds of meat he had donated for the event.

During a preliminary visit, Staat had chosen The Apple Shed as their arrival point, and proprietor Mary Lou Vachon was very excited to be involved. Inside, the restaurant's 18 tables were full and people were on line waiting to be seated for $10 ($5 for kids) spaghetti meals, as well the Shed's usual bakery delights, while Debbie and Guy Martin provided live music. "And it's not just today," Vachon said, "we're opening at 6:30 Tuesday morning, to give them a great breakfast and a warm send off on their second day."

Two other spaghetti feeds and other events elsewhere in town also raised money for the JSF.

By 3 p.m., Tehachapi Boulevard was lined with eager spectators holding flags and craning for a first view of the cyclists. The Patriot Riders and other veteran bikers who had ridden from Bakersfield earlier to welcome the cyclists, and who had been waiting with us all day, lined up along both sides of the street and began to rev their bikes. Two Tehachapi Police cars cruised slowly, leading the cyclists into town. They were greeted by the Boy Scouts at Pacino's on the corner of Tucker and Tehachapi Boulevard, then they cycled slowly towards Green Street, where Tehachapi High School cheerleaders were holding a paper banner of welcome for them.

Staat cycled through the banner, followed by Wesley Barrientos on his hand-crank cycle and Dale Porter, and a group of 15 veteran cyclists escorting them on the first leg of their trip.

Finally, the cyclists dismounted at The Apple Shed, among cheers and applause.

It was very moving to see Barrientos, a double amputee, flexing his powerful arms after pumping his hand-crank tricyle up and down the 40-odd miles up Highway 58 to the top of the Tehachapi Pass, beaming with a triumphant smile.

The Tehachapi Lions Club had set out chairs outside the Apple Shed to ensure comfortable seating for the disabled and those who could not stand during the long wait and presentation.

After the cyclists had refreshed themselves, Dave Brust of the Tehachapi Tourism Commission opened the presentation by introducing Wendy Porter, who led the Tehachapi Boy Scouts in the Pledge of Allegiance. Then Mayor Ed Grimes addressed the gathering. He praised the people of Tehachapi for turning out to salute the champions.

"When we started putting this together, I made a statement. I said, 'We're the first stop. I want Tehachapi to set the gold standard for how things should be done when (veterans) come into their city. And believe me, I think we've done that.'" He then introduced the three cyclists and their families, and said he honored the three veterans because they do not want recognition for themselves.

"They want (us) to recognize the problems that veterans have when they come out of the service," Grimes said. He also gave recognition to City Manager Greg Garrett for ensuring a safe event.

Then Zack Scrivner, county supervisor spoke, thanking Wendy Porter for her hard work in helping veterans returning from service. He expressed his pride in the County of Kern being declared a Purple Heart County, the second in the state to make this distinction.

Finally, Walt Satolino of the Lions Club presented Staat with a check for $300 from the VFW, sponsoring three miles of their ride. Then Jack Riser of the American Legion presented a $200 cash donation on behalf of himself, his wife and his son who is currently serving in Afghanistan.

"We figured you guys would be needing Pedialyte," he joked

Mayor Grimes read out the proclamation affirming and recognizing the veteran cyclists and their cause, and with that the presentations came to an end. The cyclists and spectators were invited to grab a bite to eat, and go on to the enjoy the festivities at the other venues in town.

After spending the night in Tehachapi the cyclists were sent on their way with a departure ceremony at The Apple Shed on Tuesday morning. Their next stop was to be Edwards Air Force Base. They plan to reach Washington by Memorial Day.

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