Veteran Affairs

Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Chapters (34-3)

Hello, fellow bikers! I am the PR officer for one of the four Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association chapters (34-3) here in SC. In case you didn’t know we are in all fifty states plus overseas in South Korea and Germany with over about 10k members. We are nonprofit and our mission is to help eradicate Vet homelessness ( for 34-3 that means here in Myrtle Beach, SC. We have a number events throughout the year and I was wondering if I/we keep you informed of our events that perhaps you can send a reporter our way in order to further…
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American Legion Riders Chapter 237’s Annual Poker Run Tops $53,000 in Donations to Hospice of Citrus and the Nature Coast since 2011

BEVERLY HILLS, Fla. -- When American Legion Riders Chapter 237 presented the $6,350 proceeds from their January 27 8th Annual Poker Run to Hospice of Citrus and the Nature Coast at American Legion headquarters in Beverly Hills on February 16, it brought their cumulative total of support for hospice since 2011 to $53,750. “This is a tremendous milestone achieved by a fabulous group of caring neighbors,” commented Hospice Chief Executive Officer Anthony J. Palumbo about this year’s donation. “What American Legion Riders Chapter 237 is doing is inspiring and significant if you look at any one of these eight years…
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Terry Longpre 02-15-18

American Patriot’s I recently read a Letter to the Editor (Bradenton Herald) written by folks who watched Sheriff’s Office Motorcycle Sergeant (Mike Kenyan) interacting with some children at a restaurant. I want to thank Mike for carrying on a ‘law enforcement/family’ tradition. It is not uncommon for those employed as Deputies, Police Officers or Fire personnel to interact with the public, especially children. With the stress generated by their jobs, it is a release for pent-up emotions and stress. Who better to make friends with than children and young adults? Over my years with the Police Department and Sheriff’s Office,…
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Terry Longpre 02-09-2018

American Patriot’s Sixty (60) years and eight days ago I stood in the backyard of our home in NW Bradenton and watched as the United States launched their very first rocket with the Explorer 1 satellite onboard. At the time I was ten years old and one of the proudest people on planet Earth when I saw the rockets red and yellow exhaust heading for the stars. Now sixty years later we as a nation witnessed the launch of the SpaceX's Falcon Heavy which lifted off the same pad which had been utilized for the Apollo Missions back in the…
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Terry Longpre 02-02-18

American Patriot’s Well, once again the NFL (National Football League) has tripped over their collective cleats. First, they allowed players to kneel during the National Anthem. This time they turned down a two-word advisement saying “#PleaseStand” with a photo of the Military color guard. I must be missing something, but then again, I’m not a sports fan. I feel the players are paid an ungodly amount of money to play a kid’s game. I understand the NFL has made football a humongous American sport which has a massive following and more power to them, that is what America is about.…
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Terry Longpre 01-25-18

American Patriot’s My column is driven by several personal agendas, number one is to lift-up those who serve in the military, law enforcement and as first responders. Number two, concern for the way the government (federal to city) promotes themselves all the while spending taxpayers’ dollars. In the case of those in the military they are and should be considered minorities, after all, they represent less than 10% of the total population and somewhere around 22-24% of those serving in Congress. Having said that, it appears what might be an issue is the fact the other 76-79% of Congress has…
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Terry Longpre 01-19-18

American Patriot’s Saturday, I was on my way to the Manatee County Fair keeping in mind the parade honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr would be 250 minutes to get to the fairgrounds due to traffic backups on US-301 and a standstill of traffic in downtown Palmetto. As I sat in the gridlock caused by the parade and fair traffic on Desoto and Green bridges both north and southbound as well as all main arteries I became concerned for the welfare and safety of the citizens in Manatee County. The traffic was at a standstill and not even an ambulance…
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Terry Longpre 01-11-18

We have launched into the New Year with promises made of which many will be broken throughout the year. I personally never make New Year’s resolutions I just attempt to be the best citizen I can while being considerate of those around me. I admit, sometimes I fail, then I realize something has taken my attention away from my personal goals. Last year was a year which will go down in the annals of history as one of the most decisive we as Americans have experienced since our founding. I pray we will come together as united Americans and do…
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Happy New Year

Happy New Year As we enter the year 2018 several things come to mind. 241 plus years ago the United States became an official federal republic (a country which is governed by elected representatives rather than being ruled by a king, queen or self-imposed leader) on July 4, 1776. Our established nation’s motto at the time was ‘E pluribus Unum’ which in Latin translates to ‘out of many, one’ meaning 13 colonies formed into one nation. From that basic conception of a United States created with the health and welfare of all its people in mind to what we are…
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American Motorcyclist Association Honors those who Served in the U.S. Military

Veterans Day offers Opportunity to Reflect PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association offers its sincere gratitude and respect this Veterans Day, Nov. 11, to all U.S. veterans who have served this nation through times of strife and times of peace. The AMA proudly counts thousands of veterans among its members, and many veterans' groups are also AMA-sanctioned clubs. "Veterans have always been a part of the motorcycle lifestyle, and we are glad they are a part of the AMA. They bring strong values and a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood to the motorcycling community," said AMA President and CEO…
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RETIRED AIR FORCE MEDIC SURPRISED WITH GIFT OF NEW HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE

San Antonio (September 20, 2017): Today at Cowboy’s Alamo City Harley-Davidson in San Antonio, retired Air Force medic, Lisa Benjamin, was honored with a Harley-Davidson Model Year 2018 Street Glide Special powered by the new Milwaukee Eight Engine. The surprise moment was part of MISSION: "THANK YOU" – a cross-country tour led by Adam Sandoval to celebrate the men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting our freedom. Lisa Benjamin enlisted after the 9/11 attacks and served as an Aeromedical Evacuation Medic in the Air Force. She was deployed in Iraq in 2003 – before she was even…
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Vietnam Veteran Agent Orange Quilts of Tears Escort Ride Sunday, August 6

Tampa Homeless Outreach has invited the Patriot Guard Riders and all other bikers and vehicles to join us in escorting the Vietnam Veteran Agent Orange Quilts of Tears Project from Haines City to Clearwater, FL. on Saturday, 05 Aug 2017. We will leave from Quaker Steak at 0930 hrs. to ride over to Haines City to pick it up. It will be on display for an event “Honoring our Heroes” on Sunday, 06 August 2007.   The Vietnam Veteran Agent Orange Quilts of Tears are a memorial, tribute and honor to our Agent Orange Victims, living and dead who have…
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Your Voice Matters: Haley Veterans’ Hospital Needs Traffic Signal

445+ Signers: Tampa Veterans' Hospital - Remove the Danger   The James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital in Tampa, Florida, is one of the finest VA hospitals in the nation. The hospital treats both veterans and active duty wounded and injured. University of South Florida (USF) Medical and Nursing Students train at this hospital, and the USF Medical Library is at the same intersection as this Veterans' Hospital.   However, there is one major problem. The main entrance/exit to this hospital and the USF Medical Library Staff parking lot is at one of the most dysfunctional / potentially dangerous intersections in Tampa. Currently, there are no traffic…
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