Panetta honors motorcyclists who carried flag

CONGRESSMAN JIMMY Panetta last week honored three Monterey County motorcyclists who made a journey across 21 states to carry an American flag to Arlington National Cemetery, where it will be flown over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier next week.

A group of riders, including Rick Phinney, Steve Culver, and Hy Libby, representing American Legion Post 31 in Salinas, made the trip to "raise awareness" and funds for the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery at Fort Ord, Panetta said.

On Sept. 15, the flag was delivered to members of Panetta's staff at Arlington, a 624-acre cemetery where about 400,000 of those who died in the nation's conflicts are buried. It will fly over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which contains the bodies of those who died in World War I, World War II and the Korean War.

"This journey will not only support the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery, it will serve as another demonstration of what our veterans do best: serve those who serve our nation," Panetta said Sept. 14 on the floor of the House of Representatives. "And for that, I not only recognize Phin, Pops and Crash, I honor them and I thank them, once again, for their service."

After the flag flies over Arlington, the stars and stripes will be returned to the new Fort Ord cemetery, where it will be flown on Memorial Day every year.

Libby is the son of a World War II Merchant Mariner and said he participates in the American Legion Riders to honor his father's service.

"The epic ride is the highlight of my tenure as a member of the Black Sheep Chapter 31 from Post 31 in Salinas," Libby said in a YouTube post last week.