[KHTS] – Over 100 people gathered at Fire Station 126 Saturday morning for the Inaugural Memorial Ride sponsored by the L.A. County Fire Hog Motorcycle Club.

The Fire Hogs Motorcycle Club which is made up of professional firefighters and is a non-profit organization.

The day started with registration and a light breakfast and included a scenic ride, a tri-tip lunch, entertainment, live auction and raffles, and a classic Car Show by L.A. Co. Cruisers.

All of the money raised at the event went to benefit the L.A. County Firefighter Widows and Orphans Fund.

“My favorite part is being able to help our widows and orphans fund, being able to turn some money over to help them is really what’s exciting,” said Al Bustillos, a local fire captain in Santa Clarita and the President of the L.A. County Fire Hog Motorcycle Club. “I’ve been riding a long, long time and I’ve found that some of the most kind and generous people ride Harley Davidson motorcycles, a lot of people wouldn’t think so but it’s true.”

Before the ride began, there was a small ceremony with guest speakers and three widows and two children of fallen firefighters. The ceremony recognized them and remembering the spouses they have lost, as well as other fallen firefighters.

“It is a real honor to be here… I just want to thank you all for all that you do for us civilians,” said actress Kristy Swanson, star of the movie Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Swanson was also the grand marshal of the ride.

“To all the widows out there, my heart goes out to you, both as a husband and as a father,” said Mitchell Englander, Chair of the Public Safety Committee in Los Angeles. “When I graduated from the Los Angeles Police Academy and I had my badge pinning ceremony, my wife said to me, ‘just come home.’ I still work out there to this day, and no matter how late I’m working, she’s up when I get home. It doesn’t matter if it turns into a 20-hour shift, which sometimes it can be, she’s waiting up. Before I leave everyday, she says ‘please come home.’ I can’t imagine what it must be like to have somebody not come home.”

The ride was approximately 3 hours long and went from Fire Station 126, to Castaic, then out to Lake Elizabeth, and back to Santa Clarita. It was all brought to an end at Route 66 Classic Grill in Canyon County.

“I like the ride, I like helping the orphans and the widows, and I like helping the L.A. County Fire Department,” said Dallas Miller who has been riding for approximately five years. “My wife retired from L.A. County so we’ve got a little bit invested in the County too.”

Bustillos hopes to continue this ride each year and help our families in need, “we have some right here in the Santa Clarita Valley that still have needs, so we’re here to rally and support them.”

There is another Fire Hogs Memorial Ride Saturday, June 13 in Hollywood to benefit the Widows, Orphans and Disabled Firemen’s Fund. For more information, go to the Fire Hog’s website.