Veteran Affairs

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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4TH ANNUAL 9/11 GRATITUDE RIDE

4th Annual 9/11 Gratitude Ride to Benefit Pasco County Fire Rescue Presented by Pasco County Choppers September 7, 2013 (rain date Sept. 8) Join us as we memorialize 9/11 and honor the first responders in our own back yard. Come out and ride with us as we show our gratitude to the men and women of our local Emergency Services. We will be making a 50 mile Poker Run with stops at (3) fire and rescue stations in Pasco, and extending a hand to say "Thanks for the work you do." It's been 12 years since the events of 9-11. Show the heroes…
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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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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES_MAY 24, 2013

In God I Trust Recently we as a Nation have been besieged by what appears to be an attack on media outlets, taxpayers and the military by the administration.   I want to address each area with my personal opinion.   Benghazi It appears the government knew prior to the attack U.S. Consulate in Benghazi it was coming and still failed to protect those inside the ending with the deaths of four U.S. Americans, one of which was an Ambassador.   The basic gist of the hearings involving this incident is who knew, when and why wasn’t Chris Stevens and…
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AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST ASSOCIATION HONORS FALLEN VETERANS

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association expresses its deepest gratitude to the families and friends of loved ones who have given the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States, and honors their memories on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27. "Motorcyclists everywhere salute the sacrifices of America's armed forces and the U.S. citizens who have perished in service to our country," said Rob Dingman, president and CEO of the largest member-based motorcycling organization in the country. "We know that the very freedoms we enjoy, including the freedom to ride and travel freely throughout this great nation, are defended daily…
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THINGS MY MOTORCYCLE HAS TAUGHT ME

Things My Motorcycle has Taught Me The only good view of a thunderstorm is in your rear view mirror. People ask us why we ride a motorcycle. For those who have experienced the joy, no explanation is necessary; for those who have not, no explanation is possible. Four wheels move the body; two wheels move the soul. Most motorcycle problems are caused by the nut that connects the handlebars to the saddle. Life may begin at 40, but it doesn't get real interesting until about 80 mph! You start the game of life with a full pot o' luck and…
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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES_MAY 10, 2013

Bradenton Veterans Park First of all I made a mistake in last week’s column. Here are the corrected sentences. “It’s not the weapons that are killing innocent people; it’s the person behind the trigger who is. Notice I said ‘innocent’ people in the previous sentence.”   I woke up last Tuesday and read in the Bradenton Herald where some unknown person(s) damaged the Bradenton Veterans Park which is situated near the new skateboard facility along the River Walk Park.   I have to tell you I take the damage very personally due to the fact my family have three bricks…
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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES_MAY 3, 2013

I Did Build It I am 66 years old. I grew up here in Manatee County and “I did build my own life” through the teachings of God, my parents, neighbors, teachers and supervisors over the years. I don’t need Washington to tell me how to be a better person by my helping everyone else in the United States as well as all over the world.   I have hunted and owned weapons for the vast majority of my life, that doesn’t make me a bad person. However it does make me feel safer insomuch I can protect myself and…
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THIN BLUE LINE

While I was sitting in church Sunday listening to our Pastor he said we as a church should pray for those killed and injured as well as law enforcement and first responders who were involved in the Boston bombing. One thing I found interesting was the fact that he said most people ran for safety however there were those who ran towards the explosions, which included many civilians That statement struck a chord with me as having been in law enforcement for twenty-seven years. Those in that chosen field are a breed much different than the average citizen. They are…
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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES_APRIL 19, 2013

What Happened To … ?  In recent months I have tried to keep my head from exploding like Mt. Vesuvius wherein it seems we have been inundated with one major catastrophe after another according to our leaders.   It also appears each time too many questions are asked regarding areas of concern such as Fast and Furious, Benghazi or the US Border Security fiasco something new comes up to make us take our eyes off the ball.   So where are we as a nation with the Fast and Furious Investigation? It appears that the administration doesn’t want to answer…
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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES_APRIL 15, 2013

Flying Free   There are two things in this world which get me going every day. One is the sight of an American Flag floating free in the breeze under a bright blue Florida sky and the second is a soaring American Bald Eagle.   On most days, I can see both and I appreciate what they represent and what the cost has been to keep the Flag flying free for over two hundred thirty-five plus years.   Recently I have brought several flag concerns into my columns which I felt were worth writing about.   I received an email…
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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES_APRIL 5, 2013

Fallen Hero Escort For the 16th time since 2007 MacDill AFB was brought to the attention of the local media for something other than their Special Operations capabilities. Again, as in the last fifteen times it was to supply support and to show honor for a family who has lost a soldier in the wars in Southwest Asia.   This time the family of 21-year-old US Army Specialist Zachary L. Shannon of Dunedin awaited the arrival of the charter jet, which carried his remains.   Zac was killed on March 11 in a nighttime helicopter training mission in Kandahar Providence,…
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