Sonoma County motorcycle clubs ride to honor veterans

Sporting an American flag do-rag and shades, Tony Jimenez used a smartphone Sunday to capture video of hundreds of motorcycles lined up in rows outside the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building.

The Healdsburg truck driver, who said he served with the Army during Desert Storm operations in Iraq, acknowledged feeling under-appreciated on Memorial Day. But on Sunday, it was impossible to ignore Jimenez and the army of motorcycle riders who roared out of the vets building parking lot for an event calling attention to service and sacrifice.

“All of these bikes going through town hopefully gets people thinking there are a lot of veterans around here,” Jimenez said.

More than 500 motorcycle riders participated in the ride, which concluded at Santa Rosa Memorial Park Cemetery and Crematory. There, the riders graced about 300 grave sites with carnations.

“Our hope is that when family members and former service members show up tomorrow (Monday), they will see that someone did a little bit more than what they were expecting,” said Ron Ogden.

Ogden, of Rohnert Park, is vice president of the Good Ol’ Boys motorcycle club, which has organized the veterans ride the past four years. The event is a fundraiser for four local organizations that serve veterans.

Ogden said all of the proceeds from ticket sales, a raffle and a steak dinner held at the veterans building Sunday evening will go to the vets groups. He expected Sunday’s ride to top last year’s event, which generated $9,300 in donations.

Sunday’s ride drew a number of North Bay motorcycle clubs, including Rip City Riders, Chicano Estilo, Hells Angels of Sonoma County and the Christian Motorcycle Association.

Shows such as “Sons of Anarchy” and the May 17 violence in Waco, Tex., in which nine members of what authorities called motorcycle gangs were killed in a shootout, help fuel perceptions that riders from different clubs can’t get along. But on Sunday, the mood was festive.

Sporting black leather vests emblazoned with club logos, riders perused vendor booths outside the Veterans Building. Inside, a bar did brisk business.

“Make sure to stay hydrated,” a man announced from a stage. “There’s bloody marys, mimosas, coffee, water. Whatever you want.”

“We all have a lot of love and respect for people who serve our country. This is how we give back,” said Carl Neilson of Rohnert Park, who described himself as the “PR guy” for Rip City Riders.

Dan Colville, secretary of the Lords of Iron motorcycle club, was among many riders who said supposed rivalries between clubs have been sensationalized.

“If I was broke down on the side of the road, I could count on any of these guys to help me out,” Colville said. His girlfriend, Amber Nelson, rode with him Sunday.

Ogden said the Good Ol’ Boys club, which has 18 members who hold meetings at a clubhouse in Cotati, includes military veterans. In addition to the fundraising ride, the club also has been accepting donations of coats, blankets, tarps and other items to give to homeless veterans.

“Basically, we’re giving our party a purpose,” Ogden said.

At the booth for Sonoma County Vet Connect, Inc., president Richard Jones said he was “proud” to be taking part in the event, saying the riders are “some of the best people you will ever come across.”

Jones, a Vietnam War veteran, had his plans for Monday mapped out.

“I’ll be at the cemetery at 0600 hours putting up flags,” he said. “I’ve been doing that for 25 years.”

You can reach Staff Writer Derek Moore at 521-5336 or derek.moore@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @deadlinederek.