Harley riders raise funds for Warriors Fund

Harley riders raise funds for wounded warriors
By ERIKA I. RITCHIE THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Nov. 3, 2012

At first, all Sgt. Kealoha Kuikahi saw was a couple of Harley-Davidsons rolling toward the Warrior Hope and Cure Center at Camp Pendleton on Friday morning.

Then the rumble grew louder. Soon there was what seemed to be an unending line of Harleys heading toward him along the Marine base's roads. In all, there were more than 400 motorcyclists.

They were part of the first Injured Warriors Appreciation Run from Harley-Davidson headquarters in Irvine to Camp Pendleton. The event, sponsored by the Orange Coast Chapter of the Harley Owners Group, raised more than $14,000 through registrations, sponsorships and online donations for the Warrior Foundation.

The foundation, based in San Diego, helps injured service members at Southern California military medical centers such as Camp Pendleton's Naval Hospital, said Sandy Lehmkuhler, who heads up the all-volunteer organization. Part of the money raised from the run will help more than 400 service members travel home for the holidays this year, she said.

Kuikahi, who was wounded in Iraq, is one of more than 400 Marines with the Wounded Warrior Battalion West, activated in 2007. The battalion provides recovery support to Marines, said Lt. Col Jim Fallwood, the battalion's commanding officer.
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