Motorcyclists Ride for Veterans

More than 200 motorcycle riders, many decked out in black leather draped with American flags, pulled out of Port Hueneme and roared down Pacific Coast Highway Sunday morning in recognition of the war veterans who made it home and those who didn’t.

“This is about the POWs and MIAs and getting everybody to understand they are still there,” said Vance Scott, a 67-year-old Simi Valley resident and veteran of the Vietnam and Korean wars. “You can’t let it go.”

Many of those gathered Sunday morning at the Channel Islands Air National Guard Station for the start of the ride, which was billed as “The Tribute to the Toughest,” shared Scott’s sentiment.

The ride, sponsored by Harley-Davidson Motorcycles and Ford Motor Co., started at the air base and headed down PCH past Point Mugu before winding through the Santa Monica Mountains.

Comedian Jay Leno led Sunday’s ride while driving his Ford F-150 pickup. The finish line was the Veterans Hospital in West Los Angeles where the bikers planned to meet and talk with veterans.

Nearly 70 custom-made black Harley-Davidson series Ford F-150 trucks made the ride as well.

Andy Grow, 56, of Harbor City said he made the early morning trip because he’s convinced there are still American prisoners of war in southeast Asia.

Grow said he served two tours in Vietnam beginning in 1965.

“We’re going to wake up the world,” Grow said before he got his Harley and sped off. “We can’t leave one person over there alive.”

Simi Valley resident Pat Lucatorto, 52, made a last-minute check of his 2001 Harley-Davidson Ultra-Classic before getting in formation. He was ineligible for military service but said many of his friends went and never returned.

“Sometimes I think I didn’t do my part and it bothers me,” said Lucatorto, who is head sound engineer on “The Tonight Show.” “How my life would have been different. But today I’m here to support the cause of the veterans.”