Terry Longpre

WELL DONE CITY OF PALMETTO

Last weekend showed the City of Palmetto has the ability to raise the bar to make the Desoto Seafood Festival even better than it has been over since its inception. Sunday my day started at Evie’s Tavern & Grill where numerous motorcyclists signed up and participated in the 10th Annual Blue Knight’s Poker Run. The proceeds from the run benefited the ‘Boys’ at the Manatee Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch (Rye Road). I would like to thank the Sarasota Chapter of the Blue Knight’s (XVIII) for what they did and do for surrounding counties, as well as nationally. For those who…
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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES_JANUARY 23, 2014

Marcus Luttrell Last week I wrote about the movie Lone Survivor and I would like to continue along those lines this week.   If you haven’t seen the movie I will give you advance warning it is “R” rated for violence and language. That is not a big surprise for those who have been there and done that. For those who have not, you may be offended by both.   After reading the book Lone Survivor back in 2007, a custom bike builder by the name of Jeri Exner of Clearwater spent nearly seven months building a motorcycle for Marcus…
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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES_JANUARY 17, 2014

Lone Survivor First of all here is my disclaimer prior to writing this column. I am by no stretch of the imagination a movie critic. Sue will tell you we have been to fewer movies than you can count on both hands, make that one hand in the 43 years we have been married. Now that I have that out of the way I want to expound on the movie ‘Lone Survivor’ which I saw Friday. As I sat awaiting the start of the movie along with 45-50 others (mostly my age or older) I became a little apprehensive as…
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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES_NOVEMBER 28, 2014

Wreaths and CHRISTmas I know it’s just Thanksgiving and I’m talking about Christmas but I have a good reason as to why. Wreath across America is again involved in making sure each and every grave site at the Sarasota National Cemetery has a fresh cut Christmas Wreath. These wreaths are amazing and will leave you awe struck when you see the cemetery after placement. (National Website - wreathsacrossamerica.org) Motorcycle Escort December 14th (Saturday) Meet - 7am Location – Rest Area on I-75 South of Exit 240 / Sun City) Kick stands up: 8 am 9 am - Arrival at Sarasota…
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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES_NOVEMBER 15, 2013

Veterans Day Last week I was somewhat overwhelmed by my schedule and it showed. I made a mistake and had Veterans Day posted as Thursday, I was happy several of my readers pointed that fact out to me. Now I know people do read my column and I thank each and every one of you for doing do. Last Wednesday twelve Patriot Guard Riders, all of whom were veterans met at Dan Nolan Middle School at Lakewood Ranch to spend time with the students prior to Veterans Day. We were able to talk with them individually and we also displayed…
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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES_NOVEMBER 1, 2013

Congressman C.W. Bill Young Bill Young was born in Harmarville, Pennsylvania, on December 16, 1930 and moved to Florida at the age of 15 along with his Mother and brother. Bill devoted his life to public service and what made the difference in his life was the fact he served in the Army National Guard from 1948-1957 obtaining the rank of Master Sergeant. Florida Veterans lost a close friend on October 18, 2013 when Congressman Charles William “Bill” Young passed away at Bethesda Medical Hospital, Maryland. Shortly after his passing I received an email asking if I would be part…
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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES_OCTOBER 25, 2013

Thank You Recently it has come to my attention I have fussed about those who lead us in Washington, sometimes to excess according to my wife. This week I want to thank some special folks who work for the federal government and I see under less than perfect circumstances almost weekly. They would be the men and women who work tirelessly at the Sarasota National Cemetery to make sure those who have served this country are properly treated and taken care of after their passing, no matter what. The ‘no matter what’ part is what I want to address in…
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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES_OCTOBER 11, 2013

World War II Memorial Once in a while I feel good about people reportedly breaking the law. Case in point when WWII Veterans, their guardians and/or family members went to Washington to see THEIR War Memorial.   The senior Veterans were met with barricades surrounding an open memorial. Folks it’s not a building or a high security area, it’s out in the open and it honors those who went to visit it.   Maybe it doesn’t seem like a big deal for those who portray themselves to be our elected leaders to close the memorial but to those who are…
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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES_SEPTEMBER 13, 2013

My Take on Syria First of all here’s the disclaimer. I am in no way an expert on Middle East foreign affairs. Secondly, thank God I am not a politician in any way, shape or form. As a matter of fact my patience has worn very thin with our elected officials in Washington.   My personal take on what should be done with Syria comes from common sense and basic logic which I learned over 66 years of dealing with all types of people, good and bad. I was taught and learned to ‘read’ people by their mannerisms, the way…
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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES_SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Veterans Affairs Health Care This last week I received an envelope from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Enclosed in that envelope was a copy of Department of Veterans Affairs Form 10-10EZ which is the initial enrollment form needed for processing a new applicant to the VA system to be passed onto a person who is not enrolled.   Also enclosed was a letter from Robert A. Petzel, M.D. (Under Secretary for Health) which explained the following for those who are already a part of the VA Health Care System; (1) Most importantly, those who are presently enrolled in the…
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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES_AUGUST 16, 2013

Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA)   When we returned home from our vacation I received an email from Mike Davis who is the president of Faith Riders 594 which is the local chapter.   The email stated a young lady by the name of Jamie Perea who recently completed her state required motorcycle safety course and was going to pick up her new 2013 Harley-Davidson Superlow Sportster 883.   Her request was for members of CMA to gather at Manatee River Harley-Davidson at noon to bless her new motorcycle prior to her riding it from the dealership. You may be asking…
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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES_JULY 4, 2013

Happy 237th Independence Day (Happy Birthday America)   In the last 237 years America has become what others countries only wish they could have accomplished. We were the beacon of hope, freedom and prosperity for millions upon millions of people around the world who wanted to better themselves and their families who had to assimilate into our traditions, customs and language. We were a bastion in a world full of unjust practices and political turmoil.   Somewhere over the years things began to change, we were being led down the primrose path by politicians who wanted to line their pockets…
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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES_JUNE 28, 2013

Things to Think About (My Opinion) In the last few years it appears we as a Nation have been deluged with problems coming out of Washington or maybe a better way to explain it is ‘basic stupidity.’   Whatever happened to common sense and logic? There seems to be a minimum of both when it comes to our elected officials. We have seen major jockeying for position in both the House and Senate for votes and political leverage.   It makes the average tax payer (employers) of those we elected and sent to Washington to do OUR bidding wonder if…
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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES_JUNE 21, 2013

It’s Time to Act Last week I mentioned the ‘Original’ Iwo Jima statue which is up for sale and two Sarasota residents who want to purchase and have it installed next to ‘Unconditional Surrender’ at Sarasota’s bay front park. What makes this important to them and me is the fact that Iwo Jima was one of the bloodiest battles during the war with Japan. And we are losing our ‘Greatest Generation’ at an alarming rate of 1,000 a day with the last survivor estimated to pass away in 2036. This statue is what was sculptured by Feliz De Weldon in 1945…
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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES_JUNE 14, 2013

  Upcoming Events and Columns   June 17th will be the 22nd Annual ‘Ride to Work Day’. This is a chance for all motorcyclists and scooter riders to ride to and from work. Dust em’ off and hit the road.   For those riders who fly American and other flags on your motorcycles especially Patriot Guard Riders, you realize how much wear and tear they receive during the year.   I fly double sided (double stitched by yours truly) flags on my bike and pull behind trailer. Because of the number of miles I ride a year I am constantly…
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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES_MAY 31, 2013

The Times They Are A Changin’ Over the Memorial Day Weekend I spent time with people who served or had family who served this Nation in the military. Sunday morning as I was preparing for two events, one at the Sarasota National Cemetery and the second being the parade at Lakewood Ranch for some reason my topic came from nowhere and stuck with me for this column. ‘The Times They Are A Changing’ was sung by a person I had met back in Los Angles in 1966. He was sitting on a bar stool next to me and he was…
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