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| Bikers listen to organizer James Phillip Wilfong |
When my biker friend Dennis Reneau called me, his request
was simple.
"There is a ride
coming up that will support a fellow solider, can you make it?"
Dennis doesn't call often, so I listen.
Apparently, the father, a fellow solider,
lost his son in a bike accident and he is raising scholarship funds for others
in his memory.
It is called the John
Paul [Magao] Memorial Foundation.
Dennis served with this man in the Army, and both are true blue American
soldiers.
"I'm in Dennis" I
tell him.
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| James Phillip Wilfong describes the purpose of today's ride |
I'm not a big fan of organized bike rides but when a good
cause is there, I'm ready.
It is evident to me that this is not their first such bike
ride in memory of John Paul Magao.
Impressive.
Their organization
impresses me.
There are words of
appreciation, love, thanks, and safety.
I do not know any of the people here, other than Dennis.
I do however feel the energy that they have
for this memorial ride.
Our collective donations are going towards a good cause, and riding with my friend Dennis is special.
The official web site is
www.johnmagaoscholarship.org/.
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| Robert Griego, our 1st rest stop |
The bike ride is through the foothills near Woodlake and
some country roads that I have never been on.
Easy going riding.
There must be
a hundred bikers.
We stop by the
Woodlake Airport, actually a small landing strip for a break.
Dennis
is one of the first to join 100,000 mile club, a feat not experienced by many bikers.
I hope to do the same some day, but not today.
By most accounts, this is a short ride, about 150
miles.
We end back where we started and
are greeted by music and a catered lunch.
There are raffle prizes and high energy as we finish this ride.
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| Dennis Reneau and Ruben Reyes support the ride |
It is obvious to me that many of these
bikers have done this before.
I can not
say that I knew John Paul but I proudly wear the T-shirt in his memory.
These pictures tell only a part of his
story.
I'm sure there will be more bike
rides in his honor...........
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| Robert Griego and Dennis Reneau, Woodlake Airport |
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| Rest stop, Woodlake Airport |
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| End of the ride at Plaza Park, Visalia |
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