Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/751464
8 nDecember 2016n www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS for the good of the cause. These girls are beautiful inside and out for all that they do to help the motorcycle community and to help our military, not to mention they know how to fl y around that track on four tiny wheels and take out anyone that gets in their way, probably the reason they make so much money in extorting, I mean sell- ing, those opportunity tickets at these events. Hidden City Derby Girls rock! There was a continuous fl ow of motorcycle clubs rolling in from all over Southern California to bring their support to the Forgotten Sons MC and to our military. There was also an outpouring of support from local community families with their chil- dren there to support, as well as local television and news media. There was something in the air, something big was going to happen; you could just feel the intensity and drive from the Forgotten Sons MC members, American Soldier Network peeps and the ever present Team Toyota. To start the event off, National President Pastor Z of Bikers For Christ Motorcycle Ministry gave the invocation and the First Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp Pendleton color guard presented the colors while Sgt. Emma Bringas sang the National Anthem and I can report that absolutely no one took a knee. The momentum continued as the opportunity prizes were announced, the well-known Southern California band Inhale was playing their classic rock sounds and the quintessential American cuisine of hamburgers, hot dogs and French fries were being served by the folks at the Elks Lodge. The live auction started off with huge metal-infused print of "Bad Marilyn" which eventually went home with Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood. The other live auction raffl es included an engraved knife and a huge package of pace car rides, tickets, meals, and access to the Long Beach Grand Prix next year, donated by Toyota Veterans Association. The biggest prize of all, however, awaited unsuspecting Medal of Honor Recipient John Phillip Baca. In 1970, John Baca was a Specialist Four with Company D of the First Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, First Cavalry Division. While on patrol in Phuoc Long Province, the company's lead platoon was ambushed. Baca and his recoilless rifl e team went to their aid under intense fi re, when suddenly a fragmentation grenade landed in their midst. Without regard for his own safety he threw his helmet, then his body over the grenade saving eight of his team from injury or death. He recovered and was later awarded the Medal of Honor by President Nixon. Mr. Baca has gone on in his life to do good for others including being part of a team that went back to Vietnam to build a clinic alongside the North Vietnamese Army, including a soldier that Mr. Baca personally was able to capture rather than kill on a battlefi eld in Vietnam back in December of 1969. Today Mr. Baca and his trusted com- panion, a black goldendoodle, JoJo, are well known for their good works and help to the veterans. They do it all at Mr. Baca's own expense, even though his fi nancial resources are so limited he's not able to afford a vehicle for his own transportation. Over a year of hard work and dedication by Annie Nelson and the American Soldier Network, in collab- oration with some very important peo- ple, including another Medal of Honor recipient, Dakota Meyer, who works closely with Toyota USA, set the wheels, literally, in motion with retired Toyota executive Don Esmond of the American Soldier Network to arrange the surprise of Mr. Baca's lifetime. At this Forgotten Sons MC Live to Ride event, Michael Smith, president of Toyota Veterans Association and Team Toyota, Don Esmond, American Soldier Network's Annie Nelson and American Soldier Network board members Joel Lambert and Tim Abel presented Mr. Baca with a 2014 Toyota Tundra Platinum with all the bells and whistles. Mr. Baca was in total shock and hum- bled by this incredible gift and the gifts just kept coming. In addition to the truck, the tax, title, license, and extended war- ranty, as well as $3,500 in gas gift cards were also donated to Mr. Baca by Toyota USA and Toyota Veterans Association. One year of State Farm car insurance and a goodie travel box as well as steps for JoJo to get in the truck were all provided by American Soldier Network. The 1099 gift tax and IRS tax is being cov- ered by The Nice Guys of San Diego Victory Fund. In addition, Mr. Baca and JoJo were gifted with a one-year supply of dog food from Purina, Hills and MW1 Animal Health thanks to the coordinated efforts of American Soldier Network friend and supporter Wayne Kyle, father of American Sniper and hero Chris Kyle. There were more than 20 different motorcycle clubs represented, includ- i ng Final Option, Boozefi ghters, Pacifi c Savagez, American Legion Riders, Infi dels, 8511 Depot, Street Royalty, Combat Vets, Violators, Soldiers for Jesus, Hell's Angels, Bikers For Christ, Rough Riders, Viet Nam/Legacy Vets, to name just a few. There is no denying that American bikers will come together and work for good, to support our military in a big way, to help those in need and be a part of something big- ger than themselves. 4 Future bikers enjoying games of cornhole Michael Smith of Team Toyota spoke about John's heroic efforts that saved his fellow troops when he laid on top of a grenade during the Vietnam War fl anking the group (l.–r.) American Soldier Network Advisory Board Members, Navy Seal now TV Film star, Joel Lambert and his dog Rosie and Tim Abel, Army Ranger now TV Film star. Oceanside Mayor, Jim Wood throws his support in the silent auction for "Bad Marilyn" Ride to Live Continued from page 6