Photo By Cpl. Deanne Hurla | Marcus Harrel, the sales, marketing and events coordinator for Fun Bike Center, reads...... read more read more
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CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Cloudy skies made for a chilly ride to kick off the 2nd Annual Semper Fi Ride in support of the Flying Leatherneck Museum and Historical Society May 22.
The ride began at Fun Bike Center, the event sponsor, and ended about an hour later at the museum, located on the north side of MCAS Miramar.
With the option to ride one of three routes, riders departed to the museum at 10:30 a.m. and arrived to the smell of hamburgers and hotdogs provided by Bangin’ Burgers.
After arriving at the museum, riders were automatically entered in a drawing and then went on a poker walk.
The walk consisted of five stations throughout the outdoor exhibits of aircraft, showcasing helicopters and fighter jets of the past.
“This is our museum, and there is no other like it,” said Maj. Gen. Andrew O’Donnell Jr., the assistant wing commander for 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. “These volunteers work really hard to keep it running and are working on a wing and a prayer. We as Marines need to take pride in this museum, and that’s why I came. If we can do one small part of helping it reach its goal, then that’s what we need to do.”
Miramar has the only museum in the world dedicated to preserving the contributions made by Marine Corps aviators and ground-support personnel. It is operated by an all-volunteer and curatorial staff. It is home to more than 25 vintage aircraft and houses an indoor display of memorabilia and artifacts dating to the earliest days of Marine Corps aviation.
“[The Semper Fi Ride] is a lot of fun to coordinate,” said Marcus Harrel, the sales, marketing and events coordinator for FBC. “We gain funds for the museum and get people out on their motorcycles.”
FBC’s general manager decided to start the Semper Fi Ride after learning of the museum during the 2009 air show. The museum operates solely from donations and doesn’t receive any government funds, so FBC wanted to do its part to support the museum, explained Harrel.
Both Bangin’ Burgers and FBC feel it is important to support the Marines and the museum, especially since both are located so close to base.
The event ended with the drawing in which winners received cup cozies, hats, T-shirts and bandanas from Law Tigers, a law center that represents motorcyclist who have been in an accident.
“It was a fun day, and all riders had a great time on the routes,” said Susan Hathaway, the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation public affairs director. “We look forward to next year, which will be the 100th anniversary of Marine aviation.”
| Date Taken: | 05.22.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.25.2011 10:53 |
| Story ID: | 71041 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 108 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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