Education is key in this world. Here is the current Bill in PA legislature, headed to the Senate: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cf…/billInfo/bill_history.cfm…
I share the above based on a 'debate' on one social media app that 'discussed' the views of motorcyclists blocking roadways so that a large group could pass through an intersection together. One side viewed the bikers as having 'blown through the stop sign' while others believed the motorcyclists were keeping an escorted charity ride together as a group. I re-shared their discourse (after having been re-shared by others) with the following commentary:
Having ridden in motorcycle funeral escorts with the Patriot Guard Riders and others, I am praying this bill passes soon and is signed into law. There is no greater honor than to ride for the fallen, be asked to ride for the fallen, or ride in remembrance of the fallen. I've ridden in rides for charity causes and it's important to keep the group together for safety as well as the visual statement that we are out riding for a cause -- for example, raising money for a Relay for Life team. I've been blessed to ride with my hubby at all these things, from VVnW Post 52's Ride for Freedom on National POW/MIA weekend in September annually, keeping the memory of our Prisoners of War/Missing in Action alive to Rolling Thunder in Washington DC every Memorial Day (largest attendance of bikes was pushing 1million if memory serves correctly). Things like Rolling Thunder aren't joyrides - we ride to make a mighty thunder, to be the voices of those whose voices can no longer be heard on their own: our Prisoners of War, our Missing in Action. We must never forget them, nor dare we allow our government bodies to forget them. They fought for freedom, served when their country called, and now it is our duty to remember them. My hubby and I take our riding very seriously. Look at the backs of our vests and you will see this for yourselves -- His says, "Christ Died for Me -- I Ride for Them - POW/MIA" My vest has a patch with hands together, open, supporting the head of a bald eagle, with the words, "I Remember."
Even when we may take the bike for a quick grocery run, or an evening ice cream run, we remember those for whom we ride. Our fully dressed older Harley carries the POW/MIA logo on the batwing; we have a derby cover with the 3 crosses from Calvary; our license plate frame says, "POW/MIA Never Forgotten;" and an Armor of God emblem graces the points cover. We are usually flying a small American flag on the back; sometimes we add other flags: the POW/MIA flag, the USMC flag, or the flag of a specific event.
Never leave someone behind. That is the underlying theme in riding, even if it isn't said. If we spot a stranded biker along the roadway, we check to make sure they're okay and that help is on the way. How often do we see cages/4-wheelers (a.k.a. cars, trucks, and SUVs) do that in this day and age?
Bikers for Justice is another awesome group to which I belong and which I support, serving as a District Rep. Bikers really do care about mankind, children, the elderly, those who are bullied, those are dealt injustice. We may ride to show support to a grade-schooler who has been bullied so that she knows she's not alone in this world and that someone has her back. You may find us participating in political rallies, speaking up for the rights of motorcyclists or others.
We do not appreciate anyone profiling us as a bunch of bad biker gangs; nor do we appreciate disrespect of those we try to honor and for whom we strive to provide dignity.
Sure, there are some jerks out there, but every fragment of society has those -- from Harvard grads in fancy legal offices to the guys who pick up your trash every week. No sector of society is without its share of bozos and tis very wrong to stereotype an entire sector based on the observations of a few.
Educate yourself before passing judgement on any one person or group. Only God is omniscient; therefore, only He can judge without further research.
{stepping down off my soapbox} Thank you and good day.
I share the above based on a 'debate' on one social media app that 'discussed' the views of motorcyclists blocking roadways so that a large group could pass through an intersection together. One side viewed the bikers as having 'blown through the stop sign' while others believed the motorcyclists were keeping an escorted charity ride together as a group. I re-shared their discourse (after having been re-shared by others) with the following commentary:
Having ridden in motorcycle funeral escorts with the Patriot Guard Riders and others, I am praying this bill passes soon and is signed into law. There is no greater honor than to ride for the fallen, be asked to ride for the fallen, or ride in remembrance of the fallen. I've ridden in rides for charity causes and it's important to keep the group together for safety as well as the visual statement that we are out riding for a cause -- for example, raising money for a Relay for Life team. I've been blessed to ride with my hubby at all these things, from VVnW Post 52's Ride for Freedom on National POW/MIA weekend in September annually, keeping the memory of our Prisoners of War/Missing in Action alive to Rolling Thunder in Washington DC every Memorial Day (largest attendance of bikes was pushing 1million if memory serves correctly). Things like Rolling Thunder aren't joyrides - we ride to make a mighty thunder, to be the voices of those whose voices can no longer be heard on their own: our Prisoners of War, our Missing in Action. We must never forget them, nor dare we allow our government bodies to forget them. They fought for freedom, served when their country called, and now it is our duty to remember them. My hubby and I take our riding very seriously. Look at the backs of our vests and you will see this for yourselves -- His says, "Christ Died for Me -- I Ride for Them - POW/MIA" My vest has a patch with hands together, open, supporting the head of a bald eagle, with the words, "I Remember."
Even when we may take the bike for a quick grocery run, or an evening ice cream run, we remember those for whom we ride. Our fully dressed older Harley carries the POW/MIA logo on the batwing; we have a derby cover with the 3 crosses from Calvary; our license plate frame says, "POW/MIA Never Forgotten;" and an Armor of God emblem graces the points cover. We are usually flying a small American flag on the back; sometimes we add other flags: the POW/MIA flag, the USMC flag, or the flag of a specific event.
Never leave someone behind. That is the underlying theme in riding, even if it isn't said. If we spot a stranded biker along the roadway, we check to make sure they're okay and that help is on the way. How often do we see cages/4-wheelers (a.k.a. cars, trucks, and SUVs) do that in this day and age?
Bikers for Justice is another awesome group to which I belong and which I support, serving as a District Rep. Bikers really do care about mankind, children, the elderly, those who are bullied, those are dealt injustice. We may ride to show support to a grade-schooler who has been bullied so that she knows she's not alone in this world and that someone has her back. You may find us participating in political rallies, speaking up for the rights of motorcyclists or others.
We do not appreciate anyone profiling us as a bunch of bad biker gangs; nor do we appreciate disrespect of those we try to honor and for whom we strive to provide dignity.
Sure, there are some jerks out there, but every fragment of society has those -- from Harvard grads in fancy legal offices to the guys who pick up your trash every week. No sector of society is without its share of bozos and tis very wrong to stereotype an entire sector based on the observations of a few.
Educate yourself before passing judgement on any one person or group. Only God is omniscient; therefore, only He can judge without further research.
{stepping down off my soapbox} Thank you and good day.
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