Bakersfield, CA Lodge News
Fallen Soldier Riders were welcomed at the Bakersfield Elks Lodge #266
Monday, November 1, posted on front page of the Bakersfield Californian, yea. Thank you Dennis Wren for organizing this event.A special spaghetti dinner was held on Monday night Nov. 1 because we had guests coming thru Bakersfield.
See below
The Fallen Soldier Riders ate free, all others paid $10.00 for Spaghetti. Salad and rolls. $2.00 of each paid dinner went to the Riders for gas money. Our Mr. Ray Mish, a Veteran his self was there to welcome the Riders and donate a check for gas money.
Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Memorial Torch Motorcycle Ride' across California. The ride is their 'Special Tribute Ride, in which they will be escorting the Fallen Soldiers Memorial Flame through California to not only honor the recent 'Fallen 13', but to also honor and pay tribute to other California service members who lost their lives while serving.
A procession of motorcycle riders arrived in Bakersfield on November 1st, Monday around 4:30 pm at our Bakersfield Elks Lodge #266 for Spaghetti dinner and an overnight stay before what they call 'Fallen Soldiers Home Visits' Nov. 2.
These are personalized home visits in Bakersfield to Gold Star Families. At each scheduled home visit they make, they present the surviving family members with their ‘Memorial Plaque of Distinguished Service’ and a beautiful picture of their Fallen Soldier to graciously acknowledge the service members sacrifice and to remind each family member that their fallen Hero hasn’t been forgotten.
The ride is led by their (wrapped) 36-foot motorcoach which also tows the Fallen Soldier's Memorial Flame.
They were served breakfast by Elks Lodge volunteers before continuing on their way. They will continue on through California to Indio stopping along the way to visit Gold Star Families.