For those of you participating in the Free The Colors Ride, below is the finalized OVMA ride route. The map is only an approximation of the ride route:
- (A) Join the ride at the beginning in McMinnville. Leave Shari’s parking lot at 11:00AM SHARP! Be there early.
- (B) Join the ride at the first scheduled stop. Leaving the parking lot of K-Mart on Hwy 22 in South Salem at 12:10PM SHARP! Be there early.
- (C) Next scheduled stop. I-5 Northbound Rest Area (near Wilsonville). Time will be contingent upon the time it takes to ride from South Salem to the rest area. Riders need to be there by 12:20PM SHARP!
- Ride will depart rest area and proceed toward Wilsonville to I-205 North to the Oregon City exit for McLoughlin Blvd to (D) Ross Island Bridge.
- Ride will cross over to 99W and proceed to King City. Will then head out on Durham Road back to I-5 South.
- Ride will proceed I-5 South to (E) Salem Harley-Davidson
Some other important items being communicated through various channels by the OVMA deserve being repeated:
Law Enforcement will be providing traffic control assistance and the OVMA has expressed their appreciation and gratitude. This ride is to celebrate the OVMA and its 16 years of service to Oregon State veterans and their families, and to demonstrate their continued intentions to be good neighbors in the Oregon MC community-at-large.
As stated in previous blog post/comments HERE, the OVMA will not tolerate bad actors. Attitudes should stay at home. The OVMA will cooperate with Law Enforcement fully and on all matters, as they have in the past. There is no plan nor was there ever any intent to route this ride anywhere near other MC clubhouse’s or any other organization’s meeting areas.
The OVMA State Road Captain is currently working on placement of riders, and assigning assistant Road Captains, and road guards to assist during the ride. Flyers will be available and passed out with the appropriate hand signals for those who are unfamiliar with group riding. It’s predicted we will have large numbers of riders show up for this ride. If you are unfamiliar with group riding and/or have a question please ask someone for assistance.
First and foremost is SAFETY along with showing courtesy on the road to others we will be sharing. This ride is about Freedom, Fellowship, Comrades-in-Arms, and Brotherhood.
The theme says it all – “For Those Who Fought For It – FREEDOM has a Flavor the Protected Will Never Know”
Enjoy the ride and be safe out there!
UPDATE: September 27, 2008 – The ride results are HERE.
Mac – thanks to the NW Harley Blog for the intelligence editorial support and commentary as well as the excellent route instructions and map (like the poll option, too!)
Saturday’s ride is about responsible freedom, right actions, brotherhood, and honoring our veterans and their families.
It is not about fear, intimidation, fear mongering, or any other form of tyranny.
For the trolls out there who have tried to stir the s**t…stay home, period.
For all those from every venue who are supporting the run -thank you.
For those who worry about who I am…worry more about who you may be or better yet, how you can help restore the peace and do so in a responsible manner.
De Oppresso Liber – “To Free the Oppressed”
Pappy – United States Army Special Forces (Ret.)
Postscript –
Remember that “Free the Colors Day” is an invitation for all MC associations, clubs, and organizations to fly their patches and “colors” (and our Nation’s flag) this saturday. This in support of the Oregon Veterans Motorcycle Association and in support of all of our veterans, past and present, and their families.
Non-OVMA folks are encouraged to wear a twist of blue & gold ribbon on their right arms or on their bike, this in support of the OVMA.
The OVMA is a neutral association, properly registered as a non-profit group whose mission is to help veterans and their families with programs, home visits, benefits advocacy, one on one support for those with special needs, and to help bring our newest generation of Veterans home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
We have been and will remain good neighbors to all those other MC groups in Oregon, and we appreciate the wonderful support that has been voiced for the OVMA as we prepare for saturday’s run for Freedom.
Safety and Courtesy are the bywords of the day so please make sure your bikes are running fine; you’re dressed for the road and for the weather; leave any negative attitudes at home; and Ride Safe.
Finally, CNN is featuring a special entitled “Back from the Battle” tonight at 1700 – this is a great program and well worth watching, especially prior to tomorrow’s run. If you can catch it, please do – it sets the tone for what this run and the OVMA is all about.
Pappy
United States Army Special Forces (Ret.)
The Plot Thickens . . .
Could you please dig into the obvious intrique behind the ride tomorrow and the OVMA firing their President. Is he being punished for defying the Oregon CoC’s order to disband?
GRIZ
(from their website today)
http://www.ovma.us/
As of this notice to the OVMA membership Mr. Ken Person is no longer a member in good standing and is removed from the membership roles. This action is taken in the best interest of the OVMA and is based on my recent discussion with the OVMA’s attorney. This conversation revealed the official business and best interests of the Association were not being protected by Mr. Person in his former position as president.
Steps are being taken to correct this matter and are being shared with the E-board. All chapter presidents will be notified of our progress and are expected to accurately inform their members as appropriate.
I have heard from a number of OVMA members as well as the E-Board and in lieu of these supportive contacts I am formally, in my legal capacity as State Vice President, assuming the Association office of President (Pro Tem) until all matters necessary for the Good of the Order and in conjunction with those federal and state laws that govern the OVMA are put in proper order.
Mr. Person does not retain any rights or privileges of either his former position as president or those of a member of the Oregon Veterans Motorcycle Association.
Bill Jones, President Pro Tem
Oregon Veterans Motorcycle Association
GRIZ
The information you included in your post from the OVMA website was sent out to the OVMA general membership on October 9, 2008.
OVMA State Treasurer, West Valley Chapter President
No Griz, the CoC did not tell us to disband. And the old President did not do as he was suppose to with the membership approval. I fired him do to his actions.
CoC is not a sanctioning group. We are members of the CoC, and plan on such.
Bill Jones
State President
A review of legal documents and discussion with the OVMA’s former attorney as conducted by the current OVMA president showed the former president was not acting in good faith with either the E-Board or the General Membership, and in fact was acting contrary to the best interests of the Association for his own purposes.
He was removed from his elected office in lieu of these findings, as was the responsible action to take.
There is no intrigue about today’s run. It is a run for Freedom.
Let Those Who Ride Decide
Today’s run will be le by OVMA chapters/members –
“Free the Colors Day” with the main run was great.
Thanks to the roughly 80 riders (and two trikes) that participated. Many OVMA patches and supporting twists of Blue & Gold ribbon were in the wind.
Word is the B&G are good to go in Oregon.
Big thanks to the West Valley Chapter of the OVMA for all the hard work and good vibes – big thanks to the High Desert Eagles Chapter who overnighted at Lost Lake to make the run yesterday morning.
Special acknowledgement to two groups of folks –
First, to the NW Vets who showed up to say hello to their brother and sister veterans and to wish the OVMA a good ride – that showed class.
Second, thanks to Mac and his crew from the Blog for being there to support the run – it was good meeting you “off the boards”.