Motorcyclists gathered for the White Heart Foundation’s eighth annual Ride to the Flags motorcycle ride on Sept. 13 at the Naval Base Ventura County — Point Mugu. Motorcyclists rode in honor of the victims of 9/11 and for Marine Cpl. Kyle Moser — White Heart Foundation’s selected beneficiary for this year’s ride. A memorial salute ceremony took place at the base prior to the ride.
Actors Rob Lowe and Eric Christian Olsen joined the festivities, honoring “the true heroes” by participating in the ride.”This is my second year doing the ride — it’s unbelievable. I get the opportunity to play a Navy guy on TV and these guys are the real deal, they’re the real heroes,” Olsen said. Rob Lowe was part of in the event in the past, but this was his first ride.
“This is the first time on the bike, I’m really looking forward to it. Great to honor the memory of those who served, and still serve, and those who lost their lives on Sept. 11,” Lowe shared.
White Heart Foundation’s 2015 beneficiary Marine Cpl. Kyle Moser was deployed to Afghanistan when he stepped on a Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) while with his team in a key leader engagement, ultimately saving the lives of his team and suffering multiple life-threatening injuries.
Moser spoke to the crowd about his experiences, joking as he talked to the group gathered at the base — some people visibly moved by his story and act of heroism. Also present was last year’s White Heart Foundation beneficiary Cpl. Jed Morgan and Army Ranger SFC Cory Remsburg, who completed 10 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Boy Scouts from Troop 412 in the Pacifica District of the Orange County Council, as well as Cub Scouts from Packs 563 and 567, assisted in the ceremony at Port Hueneme.
Motorcyclists then left the naval base and headed down the scenic Pacific Coast Highway toward the Waves of Flags on display at Pepperdine University. The scouts lined Pacific Coast Highway, waving flags as the motorcade rode through, and assisted in folding the Garrison flag (the largest size of national flag).
The day concluded with a celebration at Bluffs Park. Tom Petty/Johnny Cash cover band, Petty Cash, performed at the park, and a variety of food trucks was available for those who worked up an appetite on the ride.
Invited by friends, first time Ride to the Flags motorcyclist Deborah Shirey says she was eager to participate in such a “worthy cause.”
“The weather was outstanding, the ocean as blue as I’ve ever seen it and being surrounded by the rumble and purr of all of our motorcycles was music to my ears” Shirey said. “Riding down the Pacific Coast Highway, I was stunned and moved by the crowd … This truly speaks to who we are as a great nation.”
For more information on the foundation, ride and Marine Cpl. Kyle Moser, visit whiteheart.org.
