WHEELMEN NEWS PAGE
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BIKER'S PRAYER FROM
REV. JOE DE VINCENZO
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NEWS AS OF 05/07/2008
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THE WHEELMEN WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL FOR MAKING THIS YEAR'S WOUNDED WARRIOR RUN A GREAT SUCCESS, ESPECIALLY WITH THE WEATHER WE HAD IN THE MORNING. THANKS TO ALL THE MEMBERS WHO SHOWED UP, ALL THE OTHER MC CLUBS (GUNFIGHTERS, IRON SHIELDS, VTX RIDERS OF LONG ISLAND AND THE SHAMROCKS BIC), AND ALL OTHER WOUNDED WARRIOR SUPPORTERS. THANKS TO ALL WHO DONATED TIME AND PRIZES, WITHOUT YOUR HELP, THIS RIDE WOULD NEVER HAPPEN. AND FINALLY, THANKS TO THE WWP FOR YOUR TIRELESS EFFORTS IN HELPING OUR DISABLED SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN ACCLIMATE BACK INTO SOCIETY. WE RAISED JUST UNDER $2,500.00 AND ANY THING RAISED FOR THIS GREAT CAUSE IS A SUCCESS.
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COP FOR A DAY
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Best of luck to F.I. on the purchase of his new Harley Street Glide.
.JPG)
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A SALUTE TO POLICE OFFICERS
OUR HERO POLICE OFFICERS RISK THEIR LIVES EVERY DAY TO PROTECT AND SERVE US. AND THEY ARE SUBJECTED TO STRESSES, PRESSURES, AND DANGERS THAT FEW OF US COULD EVEN IMAGINE."
THEY ARE FATHERS, BROTHERS, SONS, UNCLES ...
THEY ARE MOTHERS, SISTERS, DAUGHTERS, AUNTS ...
YOU GO TO WORK IN A SUIT AND TIE AND CARRY A BRIEF CASE ...
THEY GO TO WORK WITH A BULLET PROOF VEST, PEPPER SPRAY, AND GLOCKS STRAPPED TO THEIR WAIST ...
YOU WORK AT A DESK WITH A NICE COMFORTABLE CHAIR WITH A CORNER WINDOW ON THE 5TH FLOOR ...
THEIR OFFICE HAS 4 WHEELS, 4 DOORS, LIGHTS AND SIRENS ...
POLICE OFFICERS ARE HUMAN JUST LIKE THE REST OF US ...
THEY HAVE FAMILIES THEY COME HOME TO AND CHILDREN WAITING FOR THEM AT THE DOOR …
WHEN THE WEATHER IS AWFUL AND YOU STAY INSIDE DRINKING COFFEE OR HOT COCCO ...
THEY ARE OUT THERE PROTECTING OTHERS LIVES AND HELPING WHOM EVER IS
IN NEED ...
PUTTING THEIR OWN SAFETY AT RISK ...
IN THE RAIN ...
OR THE SNOW...
EVEN HURRICANES ...
THEY ARE THERE ...
THEY ARE THERE TO COMFORT YOU WHEN TRAGEDY STRIKES ...
THEY ARE THERE TO COMFORT A LITTLE GIRL WHO'S MOTHER WAS JUST ARRESTED FOR SELLING HERSELF ON A STREET CORNER, JUST SO SHE CAN PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE ...
THEY ARE THE ONES WHO MAKE SURE YOU'RE SAFE ON YOUR WAY TO YOUR VACATION IN CANCUN ...
YET SOME OFFICERS MAKE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE ...
THEY RISK IT ALL TO SAVE ANOTHER ...
OR A FELLOW BROTHER ...
"OFFICER DOWN, OFFICER NEEDS HELP" ARE WORDS THAT CAN CHANGE LIVES FOREVER. WORDS THAT REMAIN EVER PRESENT AND IRREMOVABLE IN THE MINDS AND HEARTS OF THE POLICE FAMILY.
WE WILL FOREVER BE THANKFUL FOR ALL THEY HAVE DONE....
WE SALUTE YOU....
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GIG'S EXCUSES FOR NOT ATTENDING RIDES:
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THIS IS A LETTER TO NON-RIDERS TO HELP UNDERSTAND WHAT MOTORCYCLES ARE ALL ABOUT. UNFORTUNATELY I DO NOT KNOW THE AUTHOR, SO I WILL SEND OUT A THANK YOU TO WHOM EVER IT IS.
When you see us moving past you quickly:
Don't take offense or think we're trying to "show off". Ninety five percent of the time, we're trying to get out of your blind spot or taking ourselves out of a potential dangerous situation that has evolved around us.
Distancing ourselves from you does not mean we want to race, but that we're giving ourselves the edge we need at the moment.
When you hear our horn:
Don't take offense or think we're trying to aggravate you.
All we're doing is letting you know where we are in relation to you on the road, and we're more than likely aware of your inattentiveness to us while you're talking on a cell phone, eating, reading or involved in some other distracting aspect to
your driving. It's important to us, and you, that you know we're there.
When you hear our loud pipes:
Don't become angry and hostile toward us. Yes, some are quite loud, but for some, there's a purpose behind being loud. It's about letting you know we're close by and we're constantly hoping that our investment in this accessory will help save our lives. Our pipes are really not about our ego...it's a pride and personalization to our form of transportation.
When you see us in our clothes:
Don't become fearful of us or think us weird. Our leather jackets, chaps, gloves and boots are the barriers between loosing massive amounts of flesh should something cause us to go down...nothing more, nothing less. Safety
gear is paramount to our riding. We wear patches on our jackets, and pins on our vests. These are symbols of pride and honor within our group(s), individuals giving back to those who gave. These things bond us as a brotherhood and sisterhood among bikers. Not that we're better than anyone else, but that we have the same kind of nobility and pride in our accomplishments as you may have in the various aspects of your life. I guess one could say; our patches and pins are the decals and the bumper stickers of our involvement with society and the general public, of which we are very pleased to be a part of in our own little way.
When you see us in a restaurant:
You don't have to shield your child or feel intimidated. We have family, wives, husbands, children and loved ones too, just like you. We smile; we laugh and enjoy the moments we have. We are approachable, and would befriend you, if given the opportunity.
When you see us in a parking lot:
Don't convince yourself that we're there to "get you". More than likely, we just finished a long ride and are taking a break. Or, we may be meeting up with other riders for a charity run for young children, or another very worthy cause. We may just be admiring one another's bikes, sharing our pride with other brothers and sisters, just like you do with your personal vehicle.
It's what we do...it's a part of our lives, and we'd be more than welcome to share with you what riding a bike is all about...if you'd only ask.
When you see aggressive riding bikers:
Don't put us all in the same stereotypical category as those whose behavior and actions would cause you to react in disgust and intolerance. Many of us do not agree with this style of riding either, and we know and understand that human nature tends to blend us all together as the "same group". Most of us don't want that title...and don't deserve it.
When you see a group of bikers on the roadways:
Give us the courtesy of sharing the road with you.
Please don't "move in" between several bikers in formation. This gets us very excited and nervous, especially when it's done with no due regard for our safety.
Provide us with your awareness of the fact that we are much more vulnerable than you. We don't want to challenge you, for all of us are wise enough to know...we'd lose that battle.
When you are turning left or entering a roadway/highway:
Look, then look again...and then one more time. For we can be easily hidden, and appear to be invisible by such things as a telephone pole, another vehicle, bright lights or the glare of the sun...or possibly, the beads hanging from your rearview mirror, among numerous other items that are displayed there. If you see us flashing our lights at you or blowing our horn, we're only trying to ensure that you will see us before tragedy changes both our lives.
When you are behind us:
Please give us the room we need and don't tailgate us. If you hit us, we're going down...HARD! We don't want to play games with you, we just want to enjoy the ride and the fresh air, and experience that which many of you have never lived for. If we accelerate away from you, don't interpret this action
as though we want to drag race you. We're only trying to take ourselves out of a bad situation if you insist on being too close.
When, and if, you experience road rage:
Don't take it out on us just because we're smaller than you and more vulnerable. Think about what you're doing and the end result that may become a reality. The consequences of your actions and choices could be very detrimental to our well being, our families, our children and our loved ones.
Yes, there are those that can tend to piss you off, however, rage towards them will not solve the issues, but accentuate them. Nine out of ten bikers will do everything they can to take themselves out of that situation without causing you or them harm.
When you have an opportunity to talk to us:
You'll discover, outside any influenced or stereotypical mindset you may have, that we are just as human as you are, just with different interests and toys. Many of us would give you the shirt off our back if it would tend to brighten your day or console you in some way. We're really no different...and we drive cars, trucks and vans too. So, meet us and greet us...I think you'll be pleasantly surprised that you'll be met with open arms.
Thank You for attempting to understand
FOR BIKER NUTS
1. FOUR WHEELS MOVE THE BODY. TWO WHEELS MOVE THE SOUL.
2. IT TAKES MORE LOVE TO SHARE THE SADDLE THAN IT DOES TO SHARE THE BED.
3. BIKES DON'T LEAK OIL, THEY MARK THEIR TERRITORY.
4. KEEP YOUR BIKE IN GOOD REPAIR. MOTORCYCLE BOOTS ARE NOT MADE FOR WORKING.
5. THE BEST ALARM CLOCK IS SUNSHINE ON THE CHROME.
6. WHATEVER IT IS, IT'S BETTER IN THE WIND.
7. CATCHING A YELLOW JACKET IN YOUR SHIRT AT 7O MPH CAN DOUBLE YOUR VOCABULARY.
8. PATIENCE IS SOMETHING YOU ADMIRE IN THE DRIVER BEHIND YOU AND SCORN IN THE ONE AHEAD.
9. REMEMBER FOLKS, STREET LIGHTS TIMED FOR 35 MPH ARE ALSO TIMED FOR 70 MPH.
10. ONLY A BIKER KNOWS WHY A DOG STICKS HIS HEAD OUT OF A CAR WINDOW.
11. PEOPLE ARE VIOLENTLY OPPOSED TO FUR THAN LEATHER BECAUSE IT'S SAFER TO HARASS RICH WOMEN THAN MOTORCYCLE GANGS.
12. WHEN YOUR RIDING LEAD, DON'T SPIT.
13. NEVER RIDE FASTER THAN YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL CAN FLY.
14. I DRIVE WAY TOO FAST TO WORRY ABOUT CHOLESTEROL.
15. 98% OF ALL HARLEYS EVER SOLD ARE STILL ON THE ROAD. THE OTHER 2% MADE IT HOME.
16. SOMETIMES IT TAKES A A WHOLE TANK OF FUEL BEFORE YOU CAN THINK STRAIGHT.
17. WINTER IS NATURE'S WAY OF TELLING YOU TO POLISH.
18. THERE IS SOMETHING UGLY ABOUT A NEW BIKE ON A TRAILER.
19. GRAY HAIRED RIDERS DON'T GET THAT WAY FROM PURE LUCK.