Couple honors fallen military son with cross-country Harley ride

Two California parents, who are riding their Harley-Davidson motorcycles across the country in honor of their fallen son, are also using their trip to raise money for a nonprofit organization that benefits children of members of special military forces killed in the line of duty.

Debbie Bastian and her husband, Todd, began their month-long ride four days ago in Lompoc, Calif., and are riding 2,200 miles to Milwaukee, Wis., to attend the Harley-Davidson motorcycle company's 105th anniversary.

As part of their trip, the Bastians made a stop in Yuma on Monday night at Bobby's Territorial Harley-Davidson, 2550 E. Gila Ridge Road, where they had a table set up accepting contributions for the foundation.

But the ride is more than just a pleasure cruise for the Bastians. Called Capt. Derek Argel Memorial Ride, the Bastians hope to raise $105,000 for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation along the way, with planned stops taking place in several cities.

"We have to do things like this too because it helps us," Bastian said. "Also the need for this organization is greater now than ever before."

The Bastian's son Derek, an Air Force combat controller, lost his life in a helicopter crash in Iraq in May 2005. He and four of his fellow airmen died on Memorial Day that year. Bastian said that it is important to note that six children lost their fathers out of that one crash.

The Special Operations Warrior Foundation started in 1980 and provides scholarship grants, financial aid and educational counseling to surviving children of military special forces killed in an operational mission or training accident.

Yuma resident Diana Elliott, who just moved back here two months ago, said when she found out the Bastians were making a stop in Yuma she had to come out and show her support because she lost her first husband in the line of duty.

"I couldn't not be here. We benefitted from what they do," Elliott said. "This organization (Special Operations Warrior Foundation) is so special."

Elliott knows first-hand just how special the organization is. Her son, Dominick, had his college paid for through a grant from the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

"It didn't cost him anything to go to flight school," Elliott. "It was a benefit he received for his father giving his life for his country."

Elliott's son is now a pilot, flying medevac flights in Kearny, Ariz.

Elliott, who has since remarried, is the widow of Chief Warrant Officer William Tuttle, of Yuma, who died Oct. 4, 1983, during operation Urgent Fury, which was the name for the campaign in Grenada.

"I actually met William here at Kofa High School," Elliott said. "He joined the Army after high school and when I graduated we got married and I went with him."

Dominick, their son, Elloitt said, was only 9 years old when his father died.

The Bastians said they decided to make one of their stops in Yuma because the city is a special place for them because their son attended the Military Freefall School at Yuma Proving Ground.

The Bastians said the $105,000 they hope to raise is what a college education is expected to cost by the time Derek's 4-year old son, Logan reaches college age.

"Doing this is important because I know, after the flag is folded and the ceremony is over, people can go back to their regular lives," Bastian said. "But our lives and these children's lives will never be the same."

The Bastians plan to leave Yuma at 4:30 a.m. Tuesday morning on the next leg of their trip and hope to be joined by other Harley-Davidson riders on their way to the anniversary.

Anyone wanting to donate to the organization can do so at www.specialops.org. So far the Bastians have raised $21,655.62.

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James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Story updated Aug. 19th, 2008. Debbie Bastian stated that it is important to note that six children lost their fathers in one helicopter crash, not that four children died.