(UPDATED 8/26/08)  WE ARE ON THE ROAD!

TO REACH US ON THE ROAD BY PHONE:  805 588-8848 OR 805 588-8847

Ride Schedule:  August 15 - September 15     www.specialops.org

Thank you for visiting our fundraising page. Your donation goes directly to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, to the children of our Heroes. This ride is in memory of my son, Capt. Derek Argel, USAF CCT, KIA, Memorial Day, 2005.  It is also in memory of Major Brian Downs, SSGT Casey Crate, Capt. Jeremy Fresques, and Capt. Ali Abass who went on their last mission together.  It is in memory of all of those who have laid down their lives for freedom.

My husband and I will ride 6,000 miles this summer.  We will start on August 15, and return home on Sept. 15. Along the way, we will visit planned stops to spread the word about what the Special Operations Warrior Foundation does.  We will visit the cadets at the USAF Academy on the way home.  We can't think of a better way to help the Special Ops Warrior Foundation to raise money.  Our little grandson Logan, as well as so many other children  will qualify for help from this organization when he is ready for college.  The Special Operations Warrior Foundation has been funding and providing assistance to children for over 27 years.  They have earned the highest rating of four stars on the Charity Navigator.  Within 30 days of the notification to families of fallen warriors, the SOWF is in contact, providing counseling and assistance to their children. We will be wearing the Special Operations Warrior Foundation logo, throughout our trip, to remind people and raise awareness of the elite Special Forces that perform the nation's most dangerous missions. Please remember the Warriors who gave all to this country, and to the children for which they would provide. 

* Special Thanks to FAMILIES UNITED FOR OUR TROOPS,  who is sponsoring our gasoline for the trip!

Debbie Argel Bastian

Proud mom of Capt. Derek Argel, USAF Combat Control  "First There that Others May Live"

* To donate by mail:  Special Operations Warrior Foundation, P.O. Box 13483  Tampa, Fla  33681-3483

Schedule (will be updated)  a star indicates possible fundraising stop. Once we start our ride, this page will be a journal from each stop.  Keep our link handy for updates!

Aug 15 We rode about 180 miles today to our friends in Brea, CA. and will spend the night with them.  Both of their son's attended the Academy with Derek and played water polo.  Tomorrow we will have a two hour ride to San Diego.  Join us at the kick off party at San Diego Harley at Kerny Mesa tomorrow evening at 6:00.  It's hard to believe we are finallly on the road!

Aug 16   Evening party at San Diego Harley from (room compliments of San Diego Harley) All water and soda sales to SOWF. * Update... Thanks to San Diego Harley we raised $1,350. tonight in sales. Thanks to our friends (Gold Star parents) the Holleys for all of their help!  Met Cass Seymore (CCT)

Aug 17   Day for ride prep in San Diego.  (room compliments of San Diego Harley)

Aug 18  Ride to Yuma Az., Bobby's H-D of Yuma  (overnight hotel) Information table at the party at Bobby's from 6:00-8:00 p.m. / Mayor's proclamation Update, Thanks to city of Yuma and Bobby's.  We raised $609.00

Aug 19  233 miles to  Tucson, AZ. HD of Tucson.  Donations taken at HD dealership (overnight hotel) 

Aug 20  275 miles to Las Cruces, NM, Barnett's Las Cruces, H-D (overnight hotel)  Donations taken at Barnett's H-D ***By order of the governor of New Mexico....Aug 20-21 are Capt. Derek Argel Days statewide in New Mexico!  Proclamation from the Governor and Mayor of Las Cruces presented at the dealership.  We rasied $250.00

Aug 21  185 miles to Roswell, NM, Rosewell H-D (overnight in hotel) Information table at Roswell HD.

Aug 22  214 miles to Amarillo, TX.  Tripps H-D (overnight in private home) Morning stop at Cannon AFB / Elk's Lodge in Clovis, will present a check to SOWF at High Plains Harley in Clovis.  Arrival between 9:30-10:00 a.m.  A very generous $1000.00 was donated, thank you so much!

Aug 23-24  Ride to Branson, MO. (overnight at private home) Mayor's proclamation and Board of Aldermen. Proclamation presented at Baldnobbers Theater group in Branson.

Aug 25  Ride to Columbia MO.   Meet and greet at 12:30 at VFW Post 2657, Fulton MO.  The Post is providing lunch and taking donations.  Patriot Guard escort to Mid-America Harley for 3:00 media event and presentations. Over night at Sgt Mac's, A Combat Control Hangout. Update...Special Thanks to VFW Post's 2657 and 280,  Mid-America Harley, Sgt. Mac and all in Columbia and Fulton.  We raised $1,300 today!

Aug 26  Ride to Springfield, IL  Hall's Harley Davidson. Short stop. Press on to St. Charles, IL.  Overnight at Pheasant Run resort and evening with American Patriot, Joe Cantafio.  Update...we made it!  A 450 mile ride today.  Ride Captain Oscar from ILL met us at Hall's HD and escorted us here.  We would have been very lost if not for him.  Donations today were $330.

Aug 27  Day in St. Charles, overnight at Pheasant Run Resort

Aug 28  Ride to Green Bay, WIS, with escort.  Fundraising ride starting at noon at McCoy's HD in Green Bay.  Ride to Vandervest HD in Peshtigo. Ride to Doc's HD in Bonduel, WI. Back to McCoy's for check presentation between 4-5.

Aug 29   Summerfest grounds, Milwaukee (private home)

Aug 30  Summerfest grounds, Harley 105th (private home)

Aug 31  In route for Colorado Springs, 94 West to 151 South to Iowa City (overnight hotel) Event pending

Sept 1  Ride Hwy. 80 West to 35 South to 70 West to Junction City (overnight at Maggie and Deans)

Sept 2  Junction City, Kansas (City Cycle Sales event from 1-6, meal provided for donation) overnight at Maggie and Deans / Proclamation from Mayor of Junction City at 6:00 p.m. at City Cycle Sales.

Sept 3  Interstate 70 West in route to Colorado Springs. Escort from Limon, CO. by the 10th Special Forces Motorcycle Club, the "Trojan Warriors."

Sept 4  Speaking engagement Air Force Academy / Colorado Springs* (private home)

Sept 5  Derek and Jeremy's case dedication Air Force Academy/ Colorado Springs* (private home)  Happy hour 4:00-9:00  Thunder and Buttons. 2415 W. Colorado Ave. Old Col. City, CO Springs  http://www.thunderandbuttons.com One dollar from each beer to SOWF. Joined at AFA by the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron of Hurlburt Field, FLA.

Sept 6 Colorado Springs (private home)

Sept 7  Leave Col Springs in A.M. to Durango, CO. Overnight at Windham Resort. Escort to Durango and evening with the Iron Horse HOG chapter of Durango.

Sept 8  In route , overnight in Williams, AZ

Sept 9  Las Vegas / Marine MC escort in.  Las Vegas Harley: afternoon

Sept 10   Las Vegas /Event at VFW Post 3848, W. Lake Mead Drive, Henderson, NV. 5:00-8:00 p.m.  BBQ, Silent Auction, Raffle, Marine MC escort. Thank you Henderson!

Sept 11  Las Vegas to Hesperia, CA. 

Sept 12  Hesperia, CA. / Proclamation from Mayor and City Council

Sept 13  Edwards AFB*

Sept 14  Ride home to Lompoc and sleep!

Sept 15  Two options:  1) Slightly used 2007 Road King for sale  2)  Start riding again if I don't raise the money.

** Although it is impossible to list all of the wonderful individuals and friends that have helped us, please know how much we appreciate your support.  Here are some of the organizations and groups that we need to recognize:

San Diego Harlely, Bobby's Territorial HD in Yuma, City of Yuma, Barnett's HD of Las Cruces, NM, City of Las Cruces, NM Governor's office, Champion HD of Roswell NM, High Plains HD of Clovis NM, Elk's Lodge of Clovis NM, Cannon AFB, City of Branson MO, VFW Post 2657 in Fulton, MO., Mid-America Harley in Columbia, MO., Sgt. Mac's, Pheasant Run Resort of St. Charles Ill, PGR of Wisconson, Michigan, Illinois and Missouri, McCoy's HD of Green Bay, WI, Vandervest HD of Peshtigo, WI, Doc's HD of Bonduel, WI.  Vets For Freedom, Iowa. City Cycle Sales of Junction City Kansas, City of Junction City. United States Air Force Academy, 23rd Special Tactics Squadron Hurlburt Field, Fla., Thunder and Buttons, Old Colorado City, Families United for Our Troops (National and Nevada), Las Vegas HD, VFW Post 3848, Henderson, NV. Marine Corps MC, Las Vegas NV. City of Hesperia, CA, VN Vets of Santa Barbara, Boozefighters MC, USAFA Family Network, Rolling Thunder, 10th Special Forces MC of Colorado Springs, Vets for Freedom of Wisconson, Dr. Laura.

A very special thanks to the (PGR) Patriot Guard Riders, who provide escorts for our fallen and our Gold Star families.  These volunteer men and women insure that our loved ones and our families are shown honor and respect.  God Bless them!

Thanks to you all!  Deb and Todd