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Motorcycle Ride-In and BBQ Huge Success

Vendors including Tri County Motor Worx, Harley Davidson, and Cal Coast Motorsports provided protective equipment and information on motorcycle safety as well as various prizes to Airmen who participated in the raffle on Aug. 4, 2012 in front of the Security Forces building.(U.S. Air Force photo by: Senior Airman Nicholas Carzis)

Motorcycles from all over Southern California streamed through the gates this drill weekend to attend the 146th Airlift Wing Safety Program’s inaugural Motorcycle Show and Barbeque. (U.S. Air Force photo by: Senior Airman Nicholas Carzis)

Motorcycles from all over Southern California streamed through the gates this drill weekend to attend the 146th Airlift Wing Safety Program’s inaugural Motorcycle Show and Barbeque. (U.S. Air Force photo by: Senior Airman Nicholas Carzis)

Vendors including Tri County Motor Worx, Harley Davidson, and Cal Coast Motorsports provided protective equipment and information on motorcycle safety as well as various prizes to Airmen who participated in the raffle on Aug. 4, 2012 in front of the Security Forces building.(U.S. Air Force photo by: Senior Airman Nicholas Carzis)

CHANNEL ISLANDS AIR NATIONAL GUARD STATION, Calif. --      Vintage and top-of-the-line motorcycles from all over Southern California streamed through the gates this drill weekend to attend the wing safety program's inaugural "Motorcycle Show and Barbeque."
     Organized by the Motorcycle Mentorship Program, the event sought to bring together all drivers in a community setting, both two-wheeled and four-wheeled.
     "The event was a huge success," said Tech. Sgt. Pedro Kladis, one of the Motorcycle Mentorship Program's founders. "We are trying to create a community of awareness, to include car drivers and motorcycle riders. People came out to see what turned out to be almost 50 bikes on display, and they had a great time, too."
     The American Legion Riders Post #48 in Oxnard, more commonly known to many as the "Freedom Riders", were among those who joined in the day's festivities. Local area vendors in attendance at the barbeque, to include Tri County Motor Worx, Harley Davidson, Cycle Gear, Vintage Restoration and Cal Coast Motorsports, provided complimentary protective equipment and information on motorcycle safety as well as various donated raffle prizes.
     "We really appreciated the Legion Riders coming out. They are so generous with their time and their commitment to the military," said Kladis. Chris Coleman, Dwayne Hyre, Dave Forney, Jerry Pereira, Greg Bryant rode in for the event with their flags flying proudly from the back of their bikes. The American Legion Riders are well-known for founding the Patriot Guard, protecting the sanctity of military funerals from protesters. Freedom Riders in all states have escorted military units returning home from combat tours overseas, conducted massive cross-country fundraising events for wounded warriors, and have raised millions of dollars for local, state and national charities.
     Adding to the party atmosphere, Master Sgt. Neil Bulatao and his staff from the Dining Facility brought their best outdoors for grilling, providing a spectacular afternoon of delicious barbeque, music and fun.
     "This was just the first of what will become an annual event, and hopefully we will have even more people come out and attend next year," said Kladis.