Veteran Affairs

3rd Annual Tampa Bay Area U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Toy Run

TAMPA, FL - The Marine Corps League Detachment 1226 (Riverview), with help from 10 local motorcycle groups, presents their 3rd annual motorcycle Toy Run Sunday November 25, 2012 in support of the Marine Toys for Tots 2012 campaign in Tampa Bay.   The Toy Run starts at the Toys for Tots warehouse, 4479 West Gandy Blvd, Tampa with rider registration from 9:30am to 11:00am. The riders will depart as one group at 11:30am, escorted by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. The toy run ends at Uncle Mike’s Smokehouse & Grill at Brandon Harley Davidson, 9841 East Adamo Dr, Brandon. A $10…
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American Motorcyclist Association Salutes Veterans

  PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association thanks American veterans the world over this Veterans Day, Sunday, Nov. 11, for their willingness to serve to protect and defend the United States and the American way of life.   "There has long been a special relationship between motorcyclists and veterans," said Rob Dingman, AMA president and CEO. "Today, on Veterans Day, we honor that relationship, and salute America's veterans for their devotion to serving our country." "The patriotism, dedication and valor of American servicemen and women is unmatched anywhere in world," Dingman said. "Our veterans have put their lives on…
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Help Needed November 17 – 18 at James A. Haley VA Medical Center

  To all: The James A. Haley VA Medical Center durable medical equipment for the National Veterans Wheelchair Games was received from Richmond, VA. We need volunteers to assist with inventory. Inventory will be held November 17 – November 18.   The location is: American Medical Dept 8130 Anderson Road Ste 302 Tampa, FL 33634   If we are able to get enough volunteers we can probably get this completed in one day. If you know someone or organization that would like to volunteer please let me know. I would like to track how many volunteers will be coming.  …
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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES – NOVEMBER 1, 2012

You Lied! WARNING – I am a liberal’s worst nightmare. I carry a Bible, a copy of The Constitution of United States, hunt, fish, pray, salute the American Flag, been in the military and law enforcement and believe the United States is the greatest county on the face of the Earth, bar none. If you are okay with that then continue reading. My comments a couple of weeks ago regarding the Benghazi TERRORIST attack seems to have finally come to light by everyone with the exception of the main stream media outlets. First of all it was not a spontaneous attack it…
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Military & Motorcycles October 26, 2012

Dust Em’ Off Finally the weather is showing signs of Fall in the air with cooler temperatures and less rain. This is the time of year I year I tell people who are fair weather riders or have a dislike for hot and/or wet riding conditions to charge up the batteries, “Dust em’ off and get riding.” Keep in mind not only will we have better riding conditions we will also have an overabundance of folks from out of state utilizing our highways. The new comers could be lost or trying to locate a specific location and not paying attention…
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Military & Motorcycles – October 19, 2012

“Wreaths Across America” “IN HONOR OF A DECEASED SOLDIER” “Wreaths Across America” is now accepting donations for sponsorship of Christmas Wreaths which will be placed at the grave sites of our beloved soldiers at the VA Sarasota National Cemetery which is located at 9810 State Road 72 (Clark Road) Sarasota. The cemetery personnel can be contacted at (941) 922-7200. Please make your checks payable to Sarasota Military Academy (PTCC). They can either be dropped off or mailed to SMA at 801 N. Orange Avenue, Sarasota, FL  34236. The deadline for ordering is November 20, 2012. Each wreath is only $15.00.…
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Military & Motorcycles – October 12, 2012

Special People Almost three years ago I attended the grand opening of the new Bradenton Veterans Administration Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) not only as writer, but also as one of their veteran patients. As soon as the doors opened to the new clinic I met with the man who is responsible for the volunteers who serve the Bay Pines Community. I was immediately signed up, interviewed, took the required classes, fingerprinted, photographed, had a background check done and issued an ID card. From that day to this day I have been the Head Volunteer for the clinic. Believe it…
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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES – OCTOBER 5, 2012

You Know What Makes Me Happy Riding my motorcycle to Bradenton three mornings a week and seeing two American Bald Eagles majestically perched near their nest. Seeing American flags at various homes and businesses in and around the county displayed with ‘American Pride.’ Knowing my great grandparents traveled thousands of miles by ship from Ireland to this great country for the opportunity to better not only themselves but their families. Once here, they worked hard to become Americans, not Irish-Americans. They learned the language, assimilated into their communities and set out to make it better for future families. Knowing if…
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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES – SEPTEMBER 28, 2012

Blind or Misguided Reporting  Four years ago, I attended the John McCain Rally at Robart’s Sports Arena in Sarasota. Thursday I attended the Mitt Romney campaign at Ringling Art Museum in Sarasota. What I found to be interesting as I nestled myself among the mainstream media folks from local and national venues was the coverage. In front of the museum, there were approximately 45 protesters, which seemed to glean a large amount of TV and print time verses the large crowd of Romney supporters. At one point while I was on the roadway in front of the museum, one of…
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Military & Motorcycles – September 14, 2012

Educate Yourself and Vote I would like to preface to this column with why I think the way I do. I spent four years in the military and 27 years in law enforcement here in Manatee County.   From the time I could first vote until few years back I was a registered Democratic. During the years I have voted I have seen what appeared to be changes in both parties. I feel the basic elements of the Democratic and Republican parties had gone almost 180 degrees opposite of what they had been when I first started voting (my personal…
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Military & Motorcycles – September 7, 2012

Music and 9-11 Rides Saturday my wife and I went to the Manatee United Methodist Church (315 15th St E, Bradenton) and had the best time listening to Country Gospel Music performed by Jim and Tim.   They perform the 1st Saturday of each month and it well worth the time to go and listen. You’ll find it is old time gospel, a little country, patriotic and inspirational all at the same time.   For full disclosure I have known Jim Pierce for 35 years or so. A few years ago we got back together at one of their concerts…
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Military & Motorcycles – August 31, 2012

Things to Ponder   As anyone can imagine the summer months are slow as far a motorcycle runs and events due to obvious reasons, heat, rain, and sometimes high winds.   As a writer I find myself drifting off track of my responsibility in so much as I have to find interesting areas to write about. I was at a “Bike Night” at one of the local Harley-Davidson dealers this last Saturday evening. As I looked around, I saw numerous riders who had been in the military at one time or another.   A few days ago, I received an…
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Military & Motorcycles – August 24, 2012

The Cost of Voter Apathy On August 14, 203, four hundred eighty-one registered voters in Manatee County had the freedom to make a difference in the electoral process. Sadly only 21.02% of them took advantage of the process. There are numerous reasons for such a dismal showing at the polls.   One being most people have become upset with the mudslinging which is worse this time than any time in our history. The mud is so deep at this point that a voter has to wear chest waders just to trudge to the polls.   Secondly is the vast amount…
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Military & Motorcycles – August 17, 2012

Another Warrior Lost On August 2, Sarah Sitton’s life changed forever. Her 26-year old husband SSgt. Matthew Sitton stepped on an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) while deployed in Afghanistan on his 3rd tour. Matt had been was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. Matt’s wife Sarah, along with their 9-month son Brodey and family members were present at MacDill Air Force Base when the ‘Angel Flight’ landed which was transporting Matt’s casket. Prior to Friday, Sarah made a statement wherein she asked anyone interested was welcome to…
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Military & Motorcycles August 10, 2012

911 Motorcycle Rides  On a clear blue Tuesday morning at approximately 8:46 a.m. on September 11th, 2001 terror struck our shores. Some three thousand people perished between the hours 8:46 and 10:03 a.m. that fateful day at the hands of what we now term as ‘terrorists.' That is not exactly what I call them but this is however a family newspaper and I’m sure my pastor would not want to hear how I sometimes refer to those who were involved. Since 9-11, 2001 numerous others have died to complications from cancer and other related problems from the dust, debris, etc.…
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Military & Motorcycles August 3, 2012

2nd Amendment I have watched with great interest as to who says what regarding 2nd Amendment Rights which some want to take away since the shooting in Aurora, Colorado.   To preface this column I just want to say, 'For one, I do believe in the 2nd Amendment, and I’ll try to explain why in the space available.'   My weapon-carrying career started when I was in the military where I carried numerous types of weapons, which were utilized to protect this country while I was overseas and here at home while augmented to Security Police Squadrons to protect several…
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