A good riding buddy of mine lost his father recently.
Coping is difficult for family and for friends it’s can be challenging to know what to say or not say that might remind the person about something they don’t want to remember. But close friends know how not to say a word and yet provide comfort.
Frank served in the U.S. Army and was a Korean War veteran which meant he always had a sense of purpose to what ever it was he was doing. I first met him back in the early ‘80s when he ran his own company selling electronic components. I worked at a medical instrumentation company which purchased his parts and I’ll never forget his deep vocabulary of “one-liners.” A salesman of high integrity to the very core and one that would make Glengarry Glen Ross “ABCs” proud. I remember on more than one occasion “chasing” him out of the manufacturing assembly area for chatting up the “common people” not because he had a talent of figuring out what his clients were always up to, but was the kind of guy who made people laugh and truly enjoyed learning more about the folks he worked with. Chatting/laughing and killing time in manufacturing = fewer widgets thus the need for chasing him off.
I was a privilage to know Frank and I was thinking about his — “Trust No One” — saying while I wrote this post. How prophetic that the biggest story of the week is the insane profits at Goldman Sachs. If you’d rather get your news from “Rolling Stone”, Matt Taibbi weighs in HERE. Clearly Wall Street’s bad habits — above all, the system of compensation that helped cause the financial crisis — have not gone away. In addition, it spotlights that by rescuing the financial system without reforming it, Washington has done nothing to protect us from a new crisis.
Frank passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of his family and friends. Small as it may be, I wanted to provide a shout out of remembrance and re-commit to memory his one-liner as I sit in front of the TV screen, anesthetized by “talking heads” hoping our future doesn’t go down the drain as banking insiders believe it’s business as usual.
Photo taken at Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona, Az.
Very nice post about Frank and his accomplishments and personality. I’m sure Jeff will smile when he sees this rememberance of his dad!
Lovely tribute –
In same vein of “Trust No One” –
At today’s CoC meeting at the NW Veterans MC clubhouse the state president of the OVMA was jammed yet again by the Gypsy Jokers, this with four other members of the OVMA present.
The Joker doing the push/shove routine – same as the last time around – asked “What’s it going to take?” with respect to forcing a Veterans motorcycle association to pull its patch.
The CoC is supposed to be neutral ground but clearly that’s not the case – and this is the second time the NW Vets clubhouse has been the scene of an OVMA state president getting physically messed with.
This follows last week’s demand by a single Joker of a 61-year old OVMA member in Central Oregon to remove his patch. That didn’t happen and the Joker couldn’t / didn’t back it up even after being directed to by cell phone.
Guess it’s easier to shove Weasels, American Legion, Christian bikers, and the OVMA around than someone like…the Oregon Mogols.
as a member of the OCC who was there, and has heard alot of things from both sides of the problem one side is mad because they have gotten lied to by ovma officers and are tired of it and feel if they cant tell the truth then go awayThe other side tells just enough to make them out as the poor guy who got jacked up and dosent tell why. this fellow called santa lied to the jokers then lied to ovma members when he said in our newsletter that he shook hands with bigcat,and all was well not true that is why he got as some of you say jacked up. in the biker world you have only your word and that is it if you lie or not tell the whole truth you are not trusted and you are not wanted around let us get some people who will tell us all the truth all the time and quite being lied to.
You go Pappy! As two of the OVMA members there today, (read post under Pull up a foot locker), we have personally had enough of the this chit. Out of respect for the COC, my weapon was not pulled and fired today altough my hand was gripped tight to it. I say to those present today, enjoy the respect that was shown today, it won’t be forth coming from the two of us again!
Pappy, why are the Jokers harassing veteran clubs? Are they that damn territorial where you are? Do you guys have a bottom rocker? I thought as long as other clubs were not 1% mc’s and didnt infringe on their illegal activities that they were off the outlaw mc’s radar. Is this not the case? What if a club used RC instead of MC….. would this take some heat off? Reason I’m asking is because I have hopes to one day start a club in Florida and I don’t want unnecessary bullshit. I’m not an outlaw biker and have no desire to be. I just like Harleys and the open road. I have too much to lose by petty bullshit and I want to establish my own club with our own vision and rules. I respect other clubs enough not to fly a bottom rocker or use any likeness or patch colors, however I have no plans on asking anyones permission to form a club. Perhaps using Riding Club instead of Motorcycle Club is the way to go. Does anyone out there have any input?
OVMA has always been single patch and an association, not a club.
OVMA has always enjoyed such status in the State of Oregon.
OVMA has been long time member of the Confederation of Clubs in the state.
OVMA has always supported ALL associations and clubs events, to include 1%er clubs in the state.
Last year the president of the Jokers had a pissing contest over admitted bad behavior of a past OVMA state president, who stepped down after he was jacked up.
The OVMA was ordered then to remove its patch. It’s 400+ members elected not to by vote. The current state president was jacked last riding season and the association chose, again, not to remove its patch.
Now, for the second time, the current state president has been jacked, this time at a CoC meeting with the heard comment from the Jokers “What is it going to take?”
Several months ago the Oregon Mongols contacted the OVMA asking about support of their events and whatnot. The response was that OVMA supports ALL associations and clubs – it is a neutral association.
Oregon’s Gypsy Jokers (and not all, as the OVMA knows, as many individual Jokers have privately voiced their unhappiness with what is going on) as a club is doing what it is doing simply because 400 military veterans and their families who enjoy each other’s company and ride bikes, and support others that do the same, won’t remove their patch.
The American Legion Riders won’t remove theirs; the Weasels won’t remove theirs; and any number of other non-1%er associations and clubs won’t remove theirs despite, in several cases, being ordered to do so.
ATF was informed of the last go-around and is again being informed of the current situation and who, specifically, was involved. Anything happens to an OVMA member or family member and it’ll be a short trail to the responsible party’s doorstep for the Feds.
rest in peace Frank
Mac – please send me another E-mail at same E-address – need to capture yours and ask a question. Thanks!
As a member of the OCC and as a person who wishes to remain neutral The way I have heard the problem at the NW Vets club house has been is they wish to remain neutral were asked to stay out of the problem between the two clubs and are doing just that, Yes both times it happened at their clubhouse they were not involved and it just as well could of happened at the pizza parlor where we have had the meetings before. or on the streetcorner if the two clubs meet there. The main problem as I see it is the OVMA top people are lying to the members and in turn are lying to the jokers and we all know how far a person who lies to another biker gets {NO WHERE} The word was spread to OVMA that Santa had a hand shake with the Jokers and all was well. well that turned out to be BULL SHIT!! things were not well so as a member of one of the clubs from OCC maybe, we should look at what Santa has been saying and find out the real truth and maybe change the officers to people who dont lie.
JJ, first, please stop referring to the OVMA as a “club”, we are not, have never been, will not be a “club”. We are Oregon Veterans Motorcycle ASSOCIATION, dedicated to ALL Veterans, past, present and future!
I will most likely offend numerous, my only excuse is, I am past showing respect for those who fail to earn it.
You know nothing or you would know that it is not Santa that has been doing the lying! The “word was spread”, for all OVMA to be caurtious, not as you say, that “all was well”. And as far as the NWV being neutral…..again I ask was you there? The NWV’s misplaced neutral when they adapted an attitude when the majority of OVMA failed to patch over to ‘Big Ken’s’ new Veterans club, the NWV’s. Why don’t you ask NWV’s why they ‘jumped’ on to a wheelchair bound OVMA member last September for not standing for the National Anthem? NWV’s have consistantly showed disrespect to VETERANS, specifically OVMA Veterans since the day they became NWV’s. A NWV member, a previous member of OVMA, Tom G. was acting extemely ‘nervous’ at the COC meeting, this long before ‘Just Jim’ arrived and the cell phone activity dramatically increased. The OVMA members present for that COC meeting sensed something was coming down, how can a combat Veteran not sense danger!, due to the nervousness of NWV’s, and sudden arrival of more GJ’s and RB’s after ‘Just Jim’s’ arrival and his constant strutting around yapping on a cell phone.
Why don’t you, “a person who wishes to remain neutral”, do what the OVMA has been attempting to do for over a year? Find out what the OVMA did to offend an/any MC that we have always shown the utmost respect for! It would be so much easier for everyone, don’t you think, if the OVMA knew what they did to bring this hate upon us.
You want to point fingers at Santa, why don’t you do your research, Tim Townsend should be your first choice to point fingers at, followered by Ken Person, lets not forget T. Gorman and K. Meeks…..oh my I named names didn’t I, shame on me, and shame on the GJ’s, NWV’s and RB’s for their treatment and total disrespect of VETERANS, ALL Veterans!
The OVMA will not bow down or disappear, we have been a positive element of Oregon for more than 19 years, a member of good standing in the COC for almost that long, we are here to stay!
JJ, are you one of the LIFE OVMA MEMBERS that is feeding false information to the 1%’er clubs?
Take your Laundry to the Laundry Mat.Blog wars dont get anyone anywhere.We have rules about naming names and making references.This has gone on long enuff and now you are just beating a dead horse.Seriously now being a Vet you should know what battles to fight.Naming names on a blog site is just insane.
This is the problem with the OVMA they shoot their mouth off calling out anyone they don’t like, the word their getting out is from people like PTSD they think they know all the facts yet have they ever gone to a open house at the NWV MC club and just asked what the hell why dont you give us any respect. The vets told me they were told not to get involved they don’t want to and will not get involved maybe if you ever gave them the respect like you want it or say you deserve they told me that the GJ helped them get started but they stand on their own and always will. you are disrespecting them every time you call them something they are not and you know it!! also I believe the words said to the vet in a wheelchair was if you cant stand at least take your hat off and put your hand over your hart no one got jumped like your saying, you make it sound like someone beat him up or treated him badly as to your statement why dont i do my research well as of latly I dont want to get within 10 feet of any of your members you are to big of a target with your mouth running like it is. But your big and brave, if so brave why did you let your pres get punched and you took off your colors and left the OCC meeting?? Yet you talk on here like your ten feet tall. Maybe that is why no one respects you
I agree with JJ. If you are not a club then why do you want to be around clubs. If I had bad feelings about another club, I would approach the club or the member I have problems with. Believe me, I have done it. You get more respect for owning up and being a man then hiding in the cyber internet cafe’s. We are about respect and trust and honesty, sound familiar? Just like the military. Own up to your faults and take your hits like a man! If you cant stand up and be counted, lay down and be mounted! If I were you or the above people griping, I would stop. You have members you are responsible for and their welfare. It is not a personal agenda so stop making it one. Own up to your members. If you cant take the heat or think its personal then lay down and let someone else be involved.
Okay, this is not the place for such. So lets stop with the battering. Obviously no one really knows the answers and it all started last year. As for the hand shake, there was a hand shake. But it was thought of as a move in the right direction. Obviously wrong.
As for naming people and their clubs, stop it. This is not the place to do it. All here have been disrespectful to each other and their clubs. And it is obvious who were all are by the comment.
Think of something else, like how we all can get a long. Not slamming each other. Disrespect will not be tolerated.
Bill
aka Santa
OVMA
I have been reading all the posts and comments here (some sent to me privately) regarding the OVMA’s current situation in Oregon.
Perhaps it’s time for OVMA to end their membership in the Oregon CoC, an organization which apparently doesn’t care enough about it’s member clubs to ensure a level (respectful) playing field.
But that’s the problem with CoC’s that are ramrodded (controlled) by the one percenter types. You have to play ‘their’ game by ‘their’ rules. Once you do that, you put yourself and your organization at a disadvantage.
Again, it might be time for the OVMA to go it’s own way and control it’s own destiny instead of being manipulated (screwed with) by those with a less than honorable agenda.
99% of the people can own a gun .400 snipers hiden in a tree not one is aimed at me .If I were a joker I would make the peace .If you take my patch how will you see me .400 people just up and dissaperd just like that .So go fry the bigger fish and 99% of the problem will go away .We have real heros people you can look up to .It is hard to look up to someone if you look down on everyone .IDAHO WAS A SMALL STATEMENT. 70 STOPPED BY THE 99%ERS DO YOU GET IT . TILL IT IS FIXXED YOU WILL NOT HAVE REST. TIT FOR TAP AND GROW THE HELL UP……..KIDS
99% LIVE FREE AND 1% DO JUST WHAT THEY ARE TOLD .HAVE A MIND OF YOUR OWN …. HEY I WILL RESPECT YOU FOR IT .SO WILL ALL THAT SEE YOU AS A FREE MAN. IF NOT DO TO THE LATEST ACTIONS IN THE CLEAR DANGER THEY OFFER ITS NOT A GOOD IDEA TO COME TO ME OR ANY OVMA MEMBER AND OFFER HARM . THINK OF THE TRAING WE HAVE FOR JUST THIS KIND OF THING YALL HAVE BIG PARTYS WITH LOTS OF MEMBERS AT THEM WE KNOW HUMMM NOT GOOD TO PISS OFF LETS SAY HALF OF THE PTSD I MENT THE OVMA . HELL YOU DONT WANT TO GET A LABEL LIKE TERRIEST DO YOU IF YOU STAY ON YOUR PATH THE US GOVT WILL DO JUST THAT . THEN YOU WILL RELLY HATE BLACK PEOPLE.
Peace for all . brotherhood . Help a vet .The biker world will respect it .Shame is all you offer to your self. If you can help then stand up and be part of pride respect. If you have no pride for the freedoms you have and want to be sheep that cant think for your self . Then take that drug or harm that vet but we will not take anymore so do at your own risk we are peacefull lets keep it that way pretty please .
OUTLAWS WANT YOU TO BE QUIET THATS HOW THEY WORK . SAME AS A WIFE THAT GETS BEATEN DAY IN AND DAY OUT IF SHE TELLS SOMEONE THE FUN PART IS OVER SO IF YOU FEAR FOR YOUR LIFE YOU SHOULD DO WHAT THE LAW GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO DO MAKE ALOT OF NOISE SO LOUD THAT EVERYONE CAN HERE YOU BE SAFE IF YOU TAKE OFF YOUR PATCH THAT IS OK IF YOU DONT THAT IS OK TO UNLIKE NWVMC/NWRBMC/GJMC YOU WILL STILL BE BRO/SIS IF THEY TAKE A PATCH SO GET A NEW ONE CALL THE COPS AND REPORT IT STOLDEN GIVE TAG # LOOK AT THE FACE IF THEY HAVE A KNIFE IT IS ARMED ROBBERY HARD TO BE A GANG IN JAIL MOST OF THE LAWS THEY BREAK ARE FED LAWS SO KEEP IN MIND STAY ON THE SIDE OF STATE/FED LAW AND THEY WILL HELP . P.S. THANK YOU IDAHO/FBI KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK O.M.Gs ARE HARD AT WORK ALL OVER OREGON TO PUT A END TO THIS IF THEY MEET HALF WAY THEY MIGHT MISS THE INJUNTION ON THEIR PATCHES BUT IF THEY KEEP ON GOING THE WAY THEY ARE THEN THE OUTLAWS WILL BECOME THE NEXT TARGET OF A DEMICRATIC PREZZ THINK WACO YOU HAVE RIGHTS IN THE USA BUT IF YOU TAKE THE RIGHTS AWAY FROM OTHER PEOPLE THEN YOU YOUR SELF HAVE NO RIGHTS LEVEL RED IS THE TERROR LEVEL WE ARE AT COPS DEA FBI ALL KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON EVERY ONE OF THEM ARE BEING WATCHED 24/7 THEY HAVE TO LOOK OVER THIER SHOLDERS EVERY DAY NOW PUTEM IN JAIL EVERY TIME THEY DO WRONG TO YOU NOW LOTS OF BRAINLESS PEOPLE WILL SEE ME AS WRONG BUT THEY DONT WEAR A OVMA PATCH AND HAVE NOT WALKED IN YOUR SHOES SO TO THEM I LOVE YOU AND IT IS YOUR RIGHT THAT IS WHY VETS GO TO WAR SO YOU CAN BE FREE IN THE U.S.A. WE HAVE FOUGHT FOR FREEDOM IN THE PAST SO LETS KICK ASS FOR FREEDOM AND CALL THE GUYS THAT WE PAY TAX TO IF THAT IS THE ONLY FIGHT YOU HAVE IT IS STILL STRONG . IT MAKES IT A NEW GAME FOR THEM THEY DONT LIKE IT IF YOU TALK TO COPS SO IF YOU CANT HIT BACK CALL THE COPS THE MORE YOU CALL THE LESS OF THEM WILL BE ON THE STREET THE LESS OF THEM ON THE STREETS THE MORE YOU HAVE DONE FOR FREEDOM GET TAG # FACE HOW TALL HAIR SCARES TATS IF THEY HAVE 1%ON THEM IF THEY HAVE A BACK PATCH ON SHIRTS LETS GET THEM ON RICO THEY SELL DRUGS TAKE BIKES HURT PEOPLE EVERY DAY CALL THE COPS IF YOU SEE THEM HARM SOMEONE ELSE LETS STOP THEM ALL LET US FIGHT LIKE FREE MEN REPORT EVERY THING THEY DO WRONG CALL THE NEWS IF YOU SEE ONE GO TO JAIL CALL RAIDO TALK SHOWS LIKE LARS LARSON OR ANY OTHER NEWS THAT WILL LISTEN TO YOU FOR A MINN OF TIME IF WE DO THIS WE WIN AND THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO WALK DOWN THE STREET WITH OUT SHAME ……………OR THEY COULD JUST BACK OFF AND NOT OPEN UP THE HORNET NEST THAT WILL BE ON THIS DAY YOU HAVE A CHOICE SUPORT FREEDOM OR SUPORT THE TERORIEST THAT CAME AFTER YOU AND YOUR WAY OF LIFE MAY THIS REACH ALL O.V.M.A. N.W.R.B.M.C. N.W.V.M.C. G.J.M.C. IT WILL NOT BE FUN FOR ANYONE BUT IT WILL BE DONE MEMBER OF THE O.V.M.A. BIG-B
IF NOT FIXXED SOON YOU SHOULD CALL THE COPS EVERY TIME YOU SEE A GYPSY JOKER GIVE WERE THAT GUY IS EVERY TIME SO THE LAW CAN KEEP BETTER TRACK OF THEM THEY LIKE TO KNOW THIS STUFF FIND OUT YOUR OUTLAW TASK FORCE NUMBERS BY CALLING THE POLICE IN YOUR TOWN THEY WILL BE HAPPY TO HELP YOU IN THIS TIME YOU CAN MAKE THE LEAP BACK TO FREEDOM JUST CALL.
THE O.V.M.A. WILL NOT STAND FOR ANY MORE THREATS ASSAULTS HARRASSMENT OR INTIMIDATION WE ARE FREE MEN AND VETERANS OF A GOOD AND LOVED PUBLIC YOU STAND TALL O.V.M.A. I LOVE EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO SOME DAY WE WILL LOOK BACK ON THIS TIME AND SAY HAY WE DID IT BROTHER WE DID ………..LAST FOR BIG-BOB GOOD LUCK SEE YOU OUT ON THE ROAD ALL OF YOU.
jj – UPURS – When you are ready to face the truth, take the time to read my previous posts again. You speak in a forked tongue. Get off of your one way dead end street and join the rest of society.
Santa – Message received loud and clear!
Retired LE – A great many OVMA members have asked our officers ‘why are we in the COC, what do they do for us?’ As always you are a wise man, ride in FREEDOM!
Try to play with wolves if you’re not one and you’ll likely get bit.
No such thing as “neutral”…..sounds good, but in reality everyone will pick a side at some point.
I can’t understand why you so badly want to be involved in, a part of, or a member of an organization (coc in this case) in which you can have no say. I guess I just don’t get it. They don’t seem to want you, so why not just bow out and keep on doing all the good you have done. If it’s a case of just rubbing elbows with the bad boys, well….you’re losing. Seems to me like this whole deal has turned into a serious P$$’g contest.
Do you really think you need a “higher power” to exist or to do good things??????
No, you don’t. And no, you don’t have to take off your patch.
RIP Frank.
He was right.
I said it before, now I’m going to make a good point. If I find that anyone on this block is talking crap and belong to the OVMA, I charges will be filed though our group with the intent to pull you patch. This is crap, and not the place to be doing such. I do not want any OVMA member on these blogs talking crap, using names or talking about other groups. If I can identify a member, they will be dealt with.
Bill
aka Santa
President, OVMA
Threatening your members is not the way to handle this issue.
You need to back your people and stand up for them.
The people YOU need to focus your anger on are the ones pushing you around. Or as someone put it, ‘jacking you up’.
Take a look around you and decide what kind of bikers you and your organization should be associating with.
LOVE YOU I WILL STOP TO .