Honoring a Local Veteran, Who Honors His Own

Veterans Day is just around the corner, so as we remember and honor Veterans everywhere, Huntington Beach resident and Villa client Steve Englebrecht deserves special recognition for paying tribute to his fellow vets every day.

A Vietnam veteran as well as an avid motorcycle rider since 1992, Steve has logged more than 150,000 miles on three bikes. Most of these miles have been logged with his wife of 50 years, Cindy, as they have ridden from coast to coast, on nine separate occasions, as well as ridden into Canada.

Steve’s 2001 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic, shown in the photo, is what he calls his “tribute machine.” When Steve bought the motorcycle new in 2001, he wanted to give it a custom-designed patriotic paint job of red, white and blue. After consulting with Tom Pruitt, who at the time, worked for Damon’s Motorcycle Creations in Brea, Steve agreed to a more elaborate design, with a more personal and sentimental touch.

The bike was custom painted with the Marine Corps logo, and inside decorative blue scalloping are the 43 names of the small and elite 5th Marine Regimental Scout Sniper unit that Steve served with from 1967 to 1968. The list includes four names of men from the unit who didn’t make it home.

When Steve began working on the details of the bike, he only knew the whereabouts of a few of his unit. The project spurred him to track everyone down, and they have since had multiple reunions throughout the country, including Carlsbad, not far from Camp Pendleton and the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot in San Diego.

According to Steve, most of the men in the unit had gone more than 30 years without seeing each other or even speaking, so he was excited to show his Marine Corps brothers his “tribute machine” at their first reunion.

“They were extremely proud and excited to see it,” said Steve. “When I ride the motorcycle, I feel like I’m surrounded by the entire unit, and can’t think of better company to be with.”

Villa would like to thank all of the men and women who have served and are currently serving our incredible country.

So to Steve and all veterans, Semper Fi!

Top: Steve and his wife Cindy, pictured with Villa agent Sandy Powers in front of the home they recently sold at 6802 Derby Circle in Huntington Beach, purchased a home in the estate section of Seacliff on the Greens, also in Huntington Beach. Sandy represented the Englebrechts in both transactions.