Canyon Country, Calif., February 9—A war hero is always an individual to be honored and thanked. Unfortunately, many war heroes never come home. They never hear the thank you; they never get to enjoy the honors they earned.
While Sgt. Travis Pfister may never hear those thank yous here on this plane, the love and appreciation of what he did, while serving our country in Iraq, extends far beyond simple words and emotions.
A hero is a hero in life or in death. The freedom that our heroes have fought and died for transcends this plane as well. The very essence of freedom is at the core of all men, wherever it is enjoyed and preserved; the fact that it indeed exists offers a universal, all-encompassing thanks to all who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep it alive.
As a celebration of freedom and as a memorial thanks to Sgt. Pfister and to all of this country’s heroes, Chapter 101 of the Boozefighters Motorcycle Club decided to get together with the big-hearted guys at Fueled By The Fallen and show their appreciation and love and respect in the best way possible; a huge biker run and party.
And it was huge.
And it was a party.
Sgt. Pfister was the nephew of “Knuckles,” chapter 101’s legendary charter holder. The legacy of the military permeates Knuckle's family, his chapter, and the origin of the club itself—a club that was formed in 1946 by the World War II veterans who were to become the linchpins of the entire “biker image.”
It was fitting that Knuckles should lead the pack that rode in to the party at Canyon Country’s VFW Post 6885 from Temecula, 118 miles to the southeast, where Travis lived and where so many members of his family and friends are.
While that group rode north, riders from every other direction were making their way to the rustic and rural VFW post. The weather was perfect and the event had tons of food and drink, raffles and vendors, but this particular chapter of the Boozefighters MC is beginning to be known for one very special aspect of their parties; they provide some of the best professional music heard at any events—and the bands all come from in-house, with club members bringing their bands to entertain.
The great rockabilly band, the Unholy 4 featuring Little Moe, led off.
Then came one of So Cal’s most popular blues bands, Give Me Back My Wig.
Ventura’s favorite blues trio, Randy Rich & The Ravens, followed.
Cool Hand Juke wrapped the evening up.
All four bands had members of chapter 101 among the musicians.
The day’s other big treat came with the display of the race car armada that belongs to Fueled By The Fallen. This drag race team not only pays visual tribute to this country’s fallen heroes—the names of lost military personnel are listed on the cars, Vietnam Memorial Wall-style—but they also put their money where their E.T.s are. The purpose of the race team is to raise money and to make healthy contributions to the families of killed and injured service members.
Headed up by “Full Metal Jacket” star, Kevyn Major Howard, this team travels everywhere raising money; honoring the cost of freedom.
The Sgt. Travis Pfister Memorial Run & Party got kicked off at noon; twelve hours later there were still a lot of people doing a lot of partying—this “fun longevity” quotient is also becoming pretty standard at chapter 101’s shindigs.
And fun and celebration can only truly be had in an atmosphere of freedom; an atmosphere that indeed does not come cheap.
Enjoying this freedom was the perfect way to say our thanks to Travis and to all of America’s heroes.
The great work that Fueled By The Fallen does can be seen and donated to at www.fueledbythefallen.com.
