After battling intense heat and the bumps and bruises that crop up during thousands of miles of motorcycle riding, Debbie Argel-Bastian and her husband Todd are making their way back home to Lompoc, California.
On the outward leg of their trip, they endured the blistering desert heat of Arizona and New Mexico, but also were greeted with open arms and generous donations at their stops along the way.
The Patriot Guard chapters in Wisconsin provided escorts at several stops along the way, including Green Bay.
After two days at the Harley-Davidson Summerfest Celebrations in Milwaukee it was time to start the long journey back. An early highlight was a stop in Junction City, Kansas near the Fort Riley army base where the Mayor and City Commission proclaimed September 2nd, Captain Derek Argel Day.
Perhaps the highlight of the trip was an emotional stop at Derek’s alma mater the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.
Debbie addressed Air Force cadets and helped unveil a special memorial dedicated to Derek.
Special thanks go to the Thunder and Buttons club which donated a $1 for each beer sold during a special “Happy Hour” celebration last Friday!
The highlight for this week is a stopover in Las Vegas along with an escort from the Marine M.C. and a fund raising dinner and silent auction hosted by VFW Post 3848 in Henderson, before heading back to California for some well-earned rest.
So far, Debbie and Todd have raised more than $30,000 as they raise money and awareness on behalf of SOWF.
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