Thought I would post this for you Brothers to read! Have a great weekend!

This is an on-line blog from someone who has since applied to become
NH 5-1 newest member.  Thought you all would appreciate reading what
some people think of us and are willing to say!  Ladies and
Gentlemen...first impressions count!!






Rev 'em Up!
This past Sunday, my hubby Dick and I hopped on our motorcycles at
7:30 am here in Bradford to meet up with some of the Combat Vets
Motorcycle Association members, click here for their website, to ride
to Littleton for their monthly meeting. It was about 40 degress when
we left home so I pulled out the long underwear, winter riding gloves,
face mask, leathers, etc. Believe it or not, I wasn't too cold
although I was happy to arrive in Tilton to meet up with the CVMA
members to warm up a tad and grab a bite to eat before we left for
Littleton.


My husband is the Campaign Director for the Gold Star Mothers Memorial
Association (honoring the mothers of NH's fallen heroes), click here,
and he had met some of the CVMA members before since they are helping
to organize a motorcycle run for Saturday, October 20, (mark your
calender) to benefit the Gold Star Mothers Memorial. A Gold Star
Mothers statue will be placed in Manchester in 2008. Even if you don't
ride a motorcycle, I encourage you to donate to this extremely worthy
cause since they need to raise $250,000 by March 2008 to pay for the
beautiful statue and other incidentals for the park. Many volunteers
are already donating their time, landscaping, excavation work, etc.


All of the riders are either combat vets, supporters or auxillary
members. My husband and I are both joining this extraordinary
association. Hubby is a Vietnam vet and I'm his number one fan. I
asked what the "initiation" to join was all about and was told that
there is no "initiation" since serving in combat more than fulfills
the requirements of joining. I liked the group and its mission
immediately. These people "get it!"


I was extremely impressed with everyone and especially their concern
for safety and road courtesy. We road in staggered formation,
appropriate safe distance apart, with a leader and a "tail gunner"
who's job it was to pull off with anyone if they signaled him so they
wouldn't be left alone or behind. Since I've riden with other groups
that were completely unorganized and even somewhat dangerous in their
approach to riding, I felt extremely comfortable from the start.
Everyone rides as a group and turn signals and hand signals are
combined when changing lanes or passing. I like the "no man/woman left
behind attitude. Yep, there was one other woman on her own bike which
is always nice for me since many times I'm the only woman riding my
own bike in a group of men...not that I'm complaining, ha! Yeah, they
all "get it" from experience, and I knew that if I rode on another day
without my husband, I would be well taken care of and never left
behind.


We arrived in Littleton and Gary bought a round at the VFW to honor
his Uncle Frank who had recently died, a WWII vet, and he made a
lovely speech about his uncle (I almost felt as though I knew him from
what Gary said) and we toasted to him. He said it was what his Uncle
would have wanted...other vets honoring and acknowledging his passing
by tossing back a drink and "saluting" him! It was precious and my
respect grew even more for the CVMA members. Things lightened up a bit
and alot of good-natured bantering goes around among the group. Since
I got stuck in a whole in the grass with my bike while we were slowing
pulling into park and someone had to push me out, I, of course, had to
take a couple of humorous barbs myself, but it only served to make me
feel a part of the group. But, I have a long memory boys, so I'll get
ya back later!


We went upstairs for the meeting and the business side of things got
taken care of in a couple of hours. The CVMA does great work in
helping homeless vets and other extremely worthy endeavors to actually
support our troops with practical help rather than merely talking
about support. Carol Shea-Pompous and Paul Hodes could learn alot from
this group if they were only willing to learn.


About eight of us who did not have scheduling conflicts rode from
Littleton to Concord to welcome home the approx. 150 National Guard
members from the 3643rd. What a joyous occasion especially for my dear
friend Sue Peterson who's son Alex was one of the returnees from Iraq.
Welcome home and thank you all for your service to our country! It was
great except, of course, for the political speeches especially the one
given by Paul Hodes who is just one of the talkers not doers. He did
not get a big round of applause and personally I wanted to boo him but
refrained since I did not want to dishonor these brave men and women.


Members of the CVMA found a woman returnee they knew and presented her
with her CVMA patch and personally welcomed her home and thanked her
for her service. Again, my respect grew. Our motorcycles were parked
in a line along with members of the Patriot Guard. We all stood in
front of our bikes at "parade rest" with our American flags to show
our respect. This is how it's done for you peaceniks who hate our
troops and continue to disrespect and disparage them and their
service.


I was amazed that several Guardsmen and family members made it a point
to thank us for being there to support them. It was rather humbling
and the real thanks goes out to all of the 3643rd and their families
who have sacrificed so much for us. My respect and appreciation
continues to grow for our military.


Perhaps your opinion of bikers is connected to the Hell's Angels
persona and images of recklessness and lawlessness. Nothing could be
further from the truth about the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association
and many of the other veteran-connected motorcycle groups. The
honorable comradity is amazing, and hopefully you'll be able to
experience for yourself some day how humbling it is to be in the
presence of true greatness and loyalty among our combat veterans. My
sincere thanks to all of the CVMA members I met. I really felt
welcomed and hope I can contribute in some small way to supporting
your cause. God bless all of you and welcome home!