Oregon Medal of Honor Memorial
Many motorcycling events raise money for charity and support great causes.
Although not a fund raiser (like many OVMA events), yesterday’s “Free The Colors” ride supported a most worthy and noble cause. In my view the ride felt more about what a riding experience can do for the motorcyclist soul….the experience being one thing, but the rewards are quite another.
Looking out over the large number (80+) of riders winding through the fall foilage of Oregon’s backroads — the wind and sun on our back was inspiring. The weather being perfect for late October helped pull the ride together. I made new friends, shared stories and swapped ideas — it was all part of the experience. When your style meshes and you make connections with Veteran’s it’s easy to see what’s meant by the feeling of comradarie and the community of motorcycle riders.
A few shout outs. To the NW Vets who showed up to wish the OVMA a good ride showed a lot of class. Thanks in general to the OVMA and specifically to the West Valley Chapter for all the hard work and safe ride. A big shout out to the High Desert Eagles chapter who I believe traveled the farthest distance to make the run. Many thanks to my blog posse for supporting the event and everyone who made us non-members feel most welcome.
I’m reminded of a quote:
“In prosperity our friends know us; in adversity we know our friends.” John Churton Collins
It was truly my pleasure to help support OVMA, the Veterans and their families. Be safe and ride free.
I am very glad that so many showed up for the Ride! I had to work or I would have been there also. I belong to a Veterans MC and back the OVMA completely.
Continue to ride with Pride and I would consider it an Honor to Ride with you. WBVMC
Evil Monkey
Many of you know me, Illness has sidlined me from riding with my many friends and members of OVMA & other M/C group members that were there,I was glad to see friends from “High Desert Eagles” here in support, I was there to support the “Free the Colors” ride on 10/25/08, I’m not ashamed to say I am a member of the OVMA and am a”Cold war Vet” I did not get to do the ride but did take pictures of my comrad’s as well as other suporters of the ride (have pictures of riders headed north on I-5 @ Center st crossing in Salem,and my biggest problem is not with other MC’s or other “Veteran’s M/C’s”, It makes a differance what the average person on the street see’s and hears about the M/C’s and how we conduct ourselves,it seem’s to me we all have been in some form of action and that we are all “veterans” that belong to differant groups but the one thing is that we are all Vet/motorcycle riders and should stick together like the “buddy” you shared that “foxhole with if you were in combat”.
So lets all share the road and as I tell all my friends we know who we are so “Ride with pride, keep the rubber down”
Pappy and I were texting shortly after the ride. I was, as was everyone at the mall show, very very pleased to hear of the success of the ride and other good news passed on by Pappy.
You could not have hoped for a better day weather wise. Glad there was a good turn out also.
Hoping someone has pics we can see soon.
Pappy, again, The entire motorcycle community, MC, RC, Associations and Organizations have, in my opinion, you to thank for brainstorming and getting this thing off the ground. Well done sir.
Thanks also to all the Non OVMA MC’s for their great show of class by showing up to wish them well. Says a lot, and does only good things for the motorcycling public here in the state. We all thank you.
And Mac, thanks to you as well for all you do here. Not always an easy job, thanks.
“Free the Colors Day” was successful in many way and Respect and Love go out to a number of folks who ensured the hard right was done over the easy wrong –
These include the West Valley Chapter of the OVMA for all the great work in taking what was a grassroots call to action and making it an OVMA sponsored event –
To those many individuals, members and independents who offered quiet support and encouragement over the past six weeks –
To those members of the law enforcement community who listened to us, took reports, made phone calls, and offered their assistance on the day of the run –
To the OVMA chapters who were able to directly participate or who sent representatives on saturday –
To those who took their patches off but came anyway and can now sew their patches back on with pride –
To those who never took their patches off and rode free these last six weeks leading up to saturday’s event –
To Mac and the NW Harley Blog Posse for giving the OVMA a national Voice on this issue –
To JS, one of the “plank owners” of the OVMA, for his good advice, keen insight, and encouragement of our President Pro Tem, “Santa” –
To Santa for having the ethical and physical courage to reconsider where this was all going and stepping up on behalf of the OVMA general membership and Oregon’s veteran community –
To Windy Joe and ABATE of Oregon for their deep well of knowledge and the willingness to share it –
And finally to those other associations, organizations, and clubs – both within Oregon’s borders and outside of them – who quietly gave their support as well as their sage advice –
The OVMA will continue to support quality veterans’ programs and projects and it will be a willing partner in keeping the peace as a good neighbor should.
From the Latin –
“Quod meum est sine me auferri non potest” – “That which is mine cannot be taken away without my assent”
To all who participated in the “free colors ride”.
I’m very happy that all had a safe ride. Also that you had such a great turnout. As I mentioned awhile back, many of us (outside your area) were supporting your efforts.
If nothing else…your message got out, thanx to this blog and then other forums and just old fashioned ‘talking’ in person.
The power of the internet is obviously much more powerful than we thought. In this case that power was used for a good thing.
I hope the OVMA can continue to ride in their state, free and unmolested by others. That goes for ALL clubs, in ANY state.
God bless you all for having the courage to stand for what you believe in.
K`lam