High on the hog to aid vets

The idea of crossing the country on a motorcycle started as a dream trip to Talladega, Ala., and NASCAR races for Randy Riney of Robbins.

But as time neared for his six-week sabbatical from work, he felt he needed to do more.

"I really started feeling selfish" about so much "me time," he said. "I've got to do something to help somebody along the way."

He decided to help the nation's veterans.

The four-year veteran of the Air Force is riding his Harley-Davidson 2005 Road King to veterans retirement homes in 13 states, starting at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville today. The stops include visiting with residents and picking up "wish lists" of items desired at the sites.

Riney, 40, plans to post the "wish lists" on his Web site, www.Rememberavet.net, as soon as he receives them and work on filling the requests.

He will also start a log on the road to update what he's seen and heard from veterans during the approximately three-week trip.

"We should all consider the sacrifices these people made, that we have these kinds of freedoms (such as) riding coast to coast without stopping at a checkpoint," Riney said. "They helped us when they could. It's incumbent for us to help them when we can, especially when we consider all they've done for us."

Visitors to the Web site can donate funds to help pay for the items or donate the actual items.

Plans are for the site to become a 501(c), or charitable, organization by the end of the year, Riney said.

Riney was stationed at Beale Air Force Base for four years in the late 1980s. After moving away from the area for several years, he returned to Robbins and the Mid-Valley about a year and a half ago. He works as a manager in maintenance operations at Genentech in Vacaville.

Residents at the Yountville home are excited to see Riney, said Jody Price, public information officer for the veterans home.

Though the state pays for the veterans' needs, the facility has an ongoing "wish list" for their wants, she said.

Various groups and individuals volunteer their time and donate items for veterans, Price added, but this is the first time someone is riding a motorcycle cross-country for them.

"They're (veterans) excited that someone would take the effort and their own time to pursue something for the veterans," she said. "For him to dedicate his time and efforts to veterans is extremely generous."

Veterans at Riney's stop at the Arizona State Veteran Home in Phoenix are also looking forward to meeting him, said Leslie Goin, therapeutic programs manager.

His cross-country trip is bringing attention and helping the residents receive extra special things they don't now have, she said. It may be as simple as a DVD player for the rooms, she said, but it is a huge thing for the residents.

"The world gets very small for people living in a nursing home," Goin said. "It's incredible to have someone come in and tell them their adventures."

Riney's scheduled stops at veterans home also include Truth or Consequences, N.M.; Reserve, La.; Collins, Miss.; Huntsville, Ala.; Daytona Beach, Fla.; Milledgeville, Ga.; Humboldt, Tenn.; Cape Girardeau, Mo.; Little Rock, Ark.; Clinton, Okla.; and Amarillo, Texas.

He also plans to see friends, visit family in Mississippi and enjoy a race at Talledega. In addition, various veterans and motorcycle groups have asked him to stop by.

"I want people to remember veterans," Riney said. Even if people don't support the Rememberavet Web site, he said, "find a veterans organization ... and help them."

Contact Appeal reporter Leticia Gutierrez at 749-4722 or at lgutierrez@appeal-democrat.com