Posted on 12/25/2005 6:54:01 AM PST by paltz
Good Guys ~ Bump!
I'm a Life Member of HOG and I ride a Suzuki, now. ;)
I'm a member of HOG and I can fit a weeks worth of groceries in my tour-pak!
Merry Christmas! :-)
You've got to be kidding me? There are neighborhoods in Georgia where it's illegal to ride a motorcycle?
Speaking of cast and laced wheels, I can remember when cast wheels were an option you payed for. I personally can't stand the things, and I was floored in '03 when I found out that cast wheels were STOCK on my Harley and I had to pay extra for laced wheels. How that got turned around is beyond me.
They are mostly neighborhoods where you wouldn't want to live anyway. Places where you can't paint your house or put in a tree without permission.
God bless these guys. Joined their website last Thursday.
I think they turned this around when they started using tubeless tires and had a hard time stopping the spoke holes from leaking air.
I think they'd lose their train of thought for a moment or two . . .
Wow. It looks like you have a ton of work into that Vespa! Do you have a (matching color-coordinated) riding suit for that?
I got a pink bicycle horn for Christmas. I also have a spare tire carrier and spare tire and wheel that I have painted pink.
After that, I'll probably ride it a while before I make further changes. I've got lots of other projects to work on. Like this one:
I love showing off.
Patriot Guard Ride – Sgt. Evan Parker, South Haven, Kansas - November 02, 2005
I knew it was going to be a long day. I pulled out of my drive at 8:00 and headed north to Caney, Kansas. In Caney, I was hooking up with Craig Winkler, a Rolling Thunder rider from Coffeyville, Kansas. From there, we planned to ride together to South Haven, Kansas to join a group called the Patriot Guard Riders. At the request of the Parker family, our goal was two-fold. We would ride to the South Haven high school; site of the funeral service for Sgt. Evan Parker, to pay our respects to a fallen soldier killed in Iraq and to prevent a small group of demonstrators from Fred Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church from disrupting the service and adding further pain to Sgt. Parker’s family and friends. The early morning ride was cold and windy, but it would warm up nicely later in the day. As we pulled into the staging area, a truck stop a little outside of South Haven, there were only a couple of dozen bikes already there. By the time we hit the head, gassed up the bikes, and mingled a little, they started rumbling in. They came from all over the area, representing VFW and American Legion groups as well as many non-affiliated riders. By the time it was time to roll out, I’d guess there was between 150 and 200 bikes. With flags flying, we pulled into sleepy little South Haven, population 428, as law enforcement officers provided escort.
We pulled in and parked, forming a line, sometimes three to four bikes deep, along the front fence of the high school. Across the gravel street directly behind us, the group of WBC protesters were already established, holding their signs, chanting their tripe, and taunting us as we dismounted. They were small in number, only 7 or 8, ranging in age from what appeared to be about 10 to one elderly lady who looked to be in her 80’s. It was immediately obvious that they were very experienced in what they were doing. They were hoping to enrage us to the point that we would physically attack or threaten them. They want grounds for a lawsuit as well as thriving on the publicity.
That was not going to happen. For one thing, we knew their tactics, and for another, it seemed like half the law enforcement officers in the state of Kansas were there to protect their civil rights. Now, having said that, the presence of so many officers may have also had something to do with the fact that Sgt. Parker’s father was a law enforcement officer, and Sgt. Parker had hoped to follow in his father footsteps. I think it’s called respect. It was also very gratifying that, to the man and woman, every officer made it a point to walk the line of bikers, shaking our hands and thanking us for showing up.
Before anyone arrived for the funeral service, we formed a blockade, three to four bikers deep, completely obscuring the protesters from view of the high school and the mourners. We held American flags high to block their signs and whenever they would begin their chanting, we would drown them out with our own chants of “USA” and the revving of our engines. They didn’t stand a chance. After a couple of hours, they loaded into their van and were escorted out of town.
The family had asked that those of us, who could, attend the graveside service and join them for food at the Methodist church afterward. It seemed main street was the only paved road, so while the service was going on, Craig and I headed to main street to get away from the dust. We parked at the side of the road, found a shady piece of grass, and lay back and relaxed. I was amazed at how many people drove by, pulled over, and thanked us for coming. One older gentleman, a vet wearing a WWII ball cap, even got out of his car and tried to give me five dollars for dinner. I’m still not sure if that was an act of gratitude or the fact that I was covered in dust and bug guts and looked like I could use a good meal and couldn’t afford one.
When the funeral service let out, we stood beside our bikes at attention as the hearse and family cars drove past. We mounted up and pulled away from the curb, joining the group of riders heading to the cemetery. The protesters did not show up at the interment and the service was as moving as was to be expected.
After the service, riders began splitting off, heading for their respective homes. Craig and I said goodbye as he was going to try to get home before dark and I had already lost that option. Since I had had nothing to eat but a breakfast bar all day, I decided to run by the church before the family arrived and grab something before I headed back. I had just finished a wonderful bowl of homemade chicken and noodle soup and was walking toward the door when Sgt. Parker’s mother walked in, clutching the triangle flag to her breast. I stopped and dropped my head. Without hesitation, she came straight to me, wrapped her arms around my neck, and with tears streaming down her cheeks, said “Thank you, thank you for being here”. That’s all I could stand. With tears welling up, I stammered my condolences and walked from the building. I had almost three hours of riding ahead of me and it was now starting to get dark. It was a hard to ride home, but was softened by the knowledge that we had made a difference. Rest in peace Sgt. Parker, job well done.
Today's News from MSNBC - MSNBC.com
Submitted by: Jeff Brown "Twister"
Bring it on Sender! Of course we let Beemers in. Harley's are not required. Heck, I ride a Yamaha Venture Royale XVZ1300 and I know folks don't mind -- probably 'cus it carries a 3'x5' American flag so well :-)
Paltz -- thanks for the mention. FreeRepublic is a great site!
We live in Oklahoma and I am a retired police officer, I was so glad when the riders began to come to our frequently victimized state and make a showing against that nut "Phred" Phelps. I was VERY near committing an act of violence on them and especially that fat kid who always walks on the flag while he is there.
This is one "church" with a screw loose.
I just read an article about the Patriot Riders on CNN.com and being someone of religion and typically conservative, Im truly APPALLED by the way these religious nuts are acting! There is a time and a place for religion, there is a time and a place for activism, and regardless to opinions of the war, it is NOT at someones funeral! I'm extremely impressed with what you guys do and if I had a bike, I'd be there with ya!
I'm not much of motorcycle rider, but i wish all of you the best when dealing with Phelps. I don't agree a lot with the war, but these are out brothers and sisters dieing, and can't understand how anyone could be doing the things that Phelp's church is doing.
I have attended several funerals for our fallen, have not yet run into the Riders, but have run into the Phelps groups. When I do, if you will let me stand with you without a MC, I will do so proudly.
Thank you
Hey guys, I just read the CNN article too... keep up the good work...I don't have a motor cycle, my "lawn mower" is a Mini Cooper, but I am sure that I can find a CD of harley noise and run around the back, put a sidecar on too for those who can't make it home...
Speaking as a gay guy, this war isn't about how's gay or not, or about whose god is better than some other guy's god...this is no way to treat the families or the victims. felps needs to leave his issues at his own pulpit.
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