CCM June Issue 176

Cover Edits By Nicole CGW

Meet Rick Stewart the newest addition to the Tom McGrath’s Motorcycle Law Group’s family. You can find him most days in our Greenville, South Carolina Office but he has clients all over the state. Although he is new to our law team, he is not new to fighting for injured riders and motorists. That has been his passion for the last 20 years. He is dedicated to providing outstanding service and availability to our South Carolina clients which is exactly what makes him the perfect fit for the Motorcycle Law Group’s team.

Rick grew up in West Greenville the son of a disabled father and hard working mother. They lived in a doublewide trailer that his grandma allowed them to put on her property. He witnessed a lot of unfair things happen to his parents and swore when he got older he would help the “Davids” of this world battle all Goliaths. He was unaware at that time that most Goliaths nowadays are insurance companies.

Fast-forward a few years and a combination of hard work and determination to fight for those who are in need propelled him to attend Furman University at night with a full-time class load while working full time driving a forklift during the day. After graduating from Furman in 3 years, he attended law school at The University of South Carolina’s School of Law where he immediately excelled and was made a member of The South Carolina Law Review. Rick has more than 20 years of experience in litigation and has tried numerous cases to verdict before both state and federal courts. He is proud to have played a part in one of the longest civil trials in the history of South Carolina which ran nearly 7 weeks in Oconee County. He has also settled thousands of cases totaling tens of millions of dollars in his career.

During all of this time, motorcycles have been the background music of his life. From his grandfather taking him on a Honda trailbike when he was 4, to his love of Evil Knievel as a kid, Rick has owned bikes from Kawasakis to Moto Guzzis to Royal Enfields to multiple BMW GSAs and more. He dreams of traveling the Pan American Highway on bike and ending up at the tip of South America in Ushuaia, Argentina.

Rick currently resides in his hometown of Greenville with his wife of 30 years and their 6 children. In addition to practicing law, he is also a church planter and pastors a non-denominational house church in Greenville. He also enjoys coaching soccer and spending time with his family. Please stop by to any of our locations and get a free VIP Rider card as well as other Swag.

www.motorcyclelawgroup.com

The firm that Rides!

West Columbia, SC

M s . C hro M e J une 2023

Ms. Savanah Prosser

Photography By Deb Davis

Bike Owner, Cowboy

The Spokes Of Grace Poker Run took place on May sixth, raising funds for Graced by Grace Inc. Graced by Grace provides many services geared toward helping children and young adults in the Upstate of South Carolina. Based out of both Greenville and Anderson counties, they provide many beneficial services for youth including transitional housing for those aging out of foster care system, life coaching, scholarships, apprenticeships, and financial and housing assistance as well as many other necessary services. This year’s Poker Run was a fundraiser for the Grace Factor Summer Institute, which seeks to provide a safe and fun place for kids 8-18 to spend their free time.

Viral Singer Songwriter AlloraShae’, Miss T.L. Hanna 2016, who has also appeared on Good Morning America, sang several of her original compositions. Author Jared J. “Anders” Smith spoke at the event and gave away copies of his books, Success is My Prey, and Rich Attitude: The Things I Wish I Would Have Known.

The ride started at Harley Davidson of Greenville and finished at Timm’s Harley Davidson in Anderson. Special thanks to the Elite Eagles for their participation in this years ride. For more information on Graced by Grace or to inquire about how your bike club can participate in future fundraising opportunities, please contact Shekinah Galloway at pokerrun@gracedbygrace.org.

864-714-7125

Article & Pictures Submited By Wendy Rogers of Promising Signs

Page Photography by Clint Watts

Page Photography by Grange Simons Lucas III

Page Photography by Grange Simons Lucas III

Bills that made it past the finish line:

S 36 “Interlock First Offense”

Senator Hutto, Young, Campsen, and Grooms.

The Senate passed it Feb 23rd with a vote of 37 ayes & 1 nay. The House of Representatives passed it May 4th with a vote of 112 ayes & 0 nays. The Senate concurred with the House amendments on May 10th with a vote of 43 ayes and 0 nays. This bill now heads to Governor McMasters desk for ratification.

• Driver’s license suspended due to a first offense. This will allow DUI interlock requirement exclusion for motorcycles and mopeds. Currently, these devices cannot meet the requirements needed if installed on motorcycles.

S 363 “Carolina Squat” Senator Rankin, Grooms, and Verdon.

The Senate passed it on February 14th with a vote of 39 ayes and 2 nays. The House of Representatives passed it May 3rd with a vote of 102 ayes & 0 nays.

The Senate concurred with the House amendments on May 4th with a vote of 37 ayes and 1 nay. This bill now heads to Governor McMasters desk for ratification.

• This law now requires that trucks could not be modified over four inches from the front to the back axle.

Bills that didn’t make it past

the finish line:

We will be working on a full report on the bills that did not make it past the finish line and what we can do now as we prepare for the second half of this session which will start next year in January.

Support Your right to ChooSe bY Supporting AbAte oF SC

Submitted eventS 2023 Submitted eventS 2023

SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 2023

Greenville Chapter of ABATE Poker Run

*Rain Date: Sat, June 10th. Begins: Greenville Shrine Club

REGISTRATION STARTS AT 11:30 am, 1st bike out NOON Last bike out 1pm. ALL BIKES In by 5pm. Top Hand $250 Worst Hand $50

$15 per hand for ABATE members $20 per hand for Non-members;' Join ABATE, save on your hand!

SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 2023

Coastal Iron Bike Show

Starting @11am . oastal Iron is hosting a bike show and Cookout. Bring your bike and have a chance to win prizes, in store gift cards, and awesome giveaways. Prizes for best overall, Cleanest, Best Passenger, Best Paint/Wrap, best Decorated. This is meant to be a fun laid back event for everyone! All Bike Brands Welcome. All Riders Welcome. Coastal Iron Motorcycle of Myrtle Beach, 3956 Highway 17 S,Murrells Inlet,SC, Murrells Inlet

FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2023

The Road To Rebelfest

Bike Nite with Dirty South Best Of Midlands Tattoo

@ 8pm Shuckers 401 Rast St, Sumter SC. FMI or Pre-Sign Up; 803-468-4552 803-983-9990

SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 2023

Ride For The Soul

Old School Bike Night second saturday every month! @ Coates Billiards, 504 Shop Rd Kershaw 29067

Starting at 6pm! FMI Rebecca @ (803) 475-9008

SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2023

REBEL FEST

Shuckers Sumter @ Noon FLYER PAGE 13

SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2023

6TH ANNUAL LANCASTER

CHILDERN'S HOME DICE RUN

Starts @ 10am @ Power Sports

Carolina KSU NOON! Ends at Beavers Den at Lake Wateree FLYER PAGE 13

SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2023 WAGS AND WHEELS DOG ADOPTION AND MOTORCYCLE SHOW EVENT

Starts @NOON @The Belmont Inn Abbyville SC.The shelters are over-occupied and are in desperate need of supplies. Collecting supplies and find fur-ever homes for some needy best friends who deserve more than to live their lives in a kennel. Bike Show from Noon to 6pm. Lots of dogs to visit, lots of bikes to check out, food plates and beverages for sale, music, child activities, silent auction, raffle, and so much more....Let's help some pets with their wish of a fur-ever family.

FRIDAY, JUNE 30TH –SUNDAY, JULY 2ND THUNDER IN THE SMOKIES SUMMER MOTORCYCLE RALLY the oldest and largest motorcycle rally in the Great Smokies! Rain or shine we are here. All bikes and ages are welcome. On the same road as us, you will find the Blue Ridge Parkway 5 miles to the west and .5 mile to the east is the Wheels Through Time Museum.

Veterans Last Patrol Honor

Ceremony for Edward Endres

By Wally Wersching

Approximately 150,000 veterans go into hospice care each year. Many spend weeks and months with little companionship or attention from the veterans community. The Veterans Last Patrol (VLP) is an organization that works to provide friendship to military veterans who are in a nursing home or hospice care. To learn more about VLP, visit their web site at www.veteranlastpatrol.org . Their Mission is to Befriend, Honor, and Support veterans in hospice care. The veterans served us. The VLP continue to serve them. They have committed their team to help wherever they can. NO VETERAN IS LEFT BEHIND.

Every fall, the VLP holds an Honor Ride to Nursing Home Facilities, and car show to honor the veterans. It gets bigger every year. I went to the last two, and had a great time. During the last ride, I signed up to receive notifications from them on upcoming events.

Last week, I received a notice that they were going to hold a veteran honor ceremony at the veteran’s home in York, SC. There was a designated meeting place, and time to meet. I decided that I wanted to see what they do to honor a veteran.

Edward Endres served in the US Navy for 20 years. He spent a lot of time on nuclear submarines. After he retired, he worked for the US Postal Service which has many veterans because the time spent in the military is considered for seniority in promotions.

I read the story about Ed, and we were both in the US Navy at the same time. He started in 1960, and I went in in 1965. My job in the Navy was Sonar – tracking submarines. We might have conducted operations together once or twice.

After lunch on Friday, May 5th, I headed south on Rt 5 toward York, SC. I used the GPS to get to the meeting place – the Liberty Church on Blessed Hope Road in York. At first, the GPS was lost. She had me turning where there wasn’t any road. I continued heading south on Rt 5 because I knew approximately where the church was located. To my surprise, the GPS

guided me directly to the church where I met members of the VLP. After a cordial greeting, we drove to Ed’s house out in the country.

After we parked at Ed’s house, we unloaded the cars, and carried the stuff to the back porch. There was an aluminum wheel chair ramp going almost all around the house to the screened-in back porch. There Brad, the lead volunteer (an ex Drill Instructor) started setting up the stage for the presentation ceremony.

Ed had the place of honor directly in front of the stage. During the next hour, the VLP volunteers told about how Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the lyrics for the Star Spangled Banner, and how important the American flag was.

During the program, there was some music like “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood. Brad acted out the emotions portrayed in the song. It was very moving. The first time I remember hearing that song was at Stone Mountain Park during the Confederate Laser Light Show. It was moving then too.

After the program ended, Ed was given many presents and awards. I gave him the Appreciation Award along with a card signed by veterans all over America. He was given a Bible and a Quilt made by an anonymous lady in Spartanburg. It was beautiful, and had the VLP logo in one corner.

Later, one of the volunteers played Taps on the trumpet. It was a recording but it sounded great not like some that sound really tinny.

When the ceremony was over, the ladies and care-givers brought out the food. There was enough food to feed an army.

After the set was torn down, I helped carry the stuff out to the cars. I was glad that I came. To see the smiles on Ed’s face was worth the effort. I will definitely be part of an Honor Ceremony or any other VLP event again. It was very rewarding for Ed and all the VLP volunteers. It is a worthwhile endeavor to help the veterans in their waning hours. I know that they will be there for me when I need them.

If you want to get involved, contact them through their website: www.veteranlastpatrol.org . There’s always room for one more!

Article & Page Photos By Wally Wersching

Page PhotograPhy By DeBra Smith

Dixie Thunder ABATE of SC Chapter

16th Annual Down Rider 2023 Ride

Page PhotograPhy By DeBra Smith

REMEMBER WHERE YOU CAME FROM

Devotional By Dennis Reynolds

I currently own three motorcycles. In my garage, side by side, there is a Street Glide, an Electra Glide, and a Road Glide. Does anyone see a pattern here?

My choices of two wheeled transportation indicate that I am into comfort for the long haul and plenty of space for my stuff. My bikes are all equipped with Harley Davidson “Sundowner” saddles which provide day long comfort no matter how many miles I travel. They all either have GPS or a place to mount my phone so I can use Google Maps for directions. Each one is a full fairing motorcycle which helps protect me from the elements, and, most importantly, they provide me with full stereo systems. There is nothing like speeding down the highway listening to Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild” blaring through the speakers. On top of all that, they also have a place for my coffee cup!

My son rides a 1200 sportster (his first motorcycle) with none of the above.

One day, I decided to take the Sportster up the road for a short evening ride. While the motorcycle is very fast, the wind beat me to death, the seat gave me a wedgie, and it vibrated horribly!

When I returned to the garage, we discussed the particulars of the bike, and I was sure to make him aware that I wouldn’t be borrowing it again any time soon. Still, he loves the motorcycle and is happy to ride it almost anywhere.

That evening, as I was having a glass of iced tea on my back porch, I began thinking about my earlier conversation with my son. While I have been riding for over fifty years, this was his very first motorcycle, and it was leaps and bounds above my first bike.

As I sat and sipped on the glass of tea, my mind was flooded with memories of my youth and the motorcycles that had come my way. While I had been riding mini-bikes and dirt bikes for years, my first “for real” street bike was a 1982 Yamaha Maxim 550 that I purchased brand new. It had no windshield, no luggage, a skinny little seat, it was as slow as cold molasses, and I LOVED it! On the seat of that motorcycle, I spent summers riding around the lake with several different young ladies snuggled up behind me, cruised the mall parking lot every Friday and Saturday night, and took day trips to surrounding towns and into the mountains.

1993 was the first year I made the trip to Washington DC, and by then I was riding a late model Honda Shadow. It had no bags, so my stuff was strapped across the back seat, no stereo to listen to, but thankfully it at least had a windshield. Since there was no radio, I clipped a Walkman onto the windshield and plugged in a set of cheap headphones I had wired into my helmet for the trip. That lasted about an hour. Somewhere on Interstate 85, my tire hit a bump and the Walkman shattered all over the blacktop.

My current three motorcycles are my 15th, 16th, and 17th street bikes. Many others have come and gone, and with each new motorcycle, the comfort level has grown ever so slightly.

Sometimes those of us with big fancy tour bikes forget the bygone days where we struggled with different things just to be able to ride. Those times when we had no choice but to roll our cigarettes up in our shirt sleeve, or chug a soft drink and a pack of crackers because most of our money went into the gas tank, or when we were sitting under an overpass in a thunderstorm because we had no such luxury as rain gear.

As those memories slip farther into the past, we can become just a bit snotty and tend to look down on folks who ride bikes that are not quite up to our standards, just as I had unwittingly done with my son’s Sportster.

As Christians, we can be guilty of the same thing.

Sometimes when we become Christians and have years of walking with Jesus under our belt, we tend to look down on people who are still struggling in their own lives. When new Christians make mistakes in their walk, we are ready to tell them how bad they messed up, but we stop short of encouraging them and lending a helping hand. We tend to forget that at one time, we were struggling as well, and we often still do.

The next time you see someone who is hurting, battling their demons, or just not in a good place in life, remember where you came from and what it was like. No one is perfect, no one is sinless, and everyone needs Jesus.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 New International Version “Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.”

Ride on and stay safe, Dennis Reynolds

Mideast Regional Elder Bikers for Christ M/M

Lexington SC Veterans Memorial

William "Doug" Bixby of Camden SC

Photography By Deb Davis

Ride your motorcycle on Ride To Work Day

June 19, 2023 and demonstrate:

– The number of motorcyclists to the general public and politicians

– Motorcyclists are from all occupations and all walks of life

– Motorcyclists can reduce traffic congestion in large cities

– Motorcycles are for transportation as well as recreation

*NOTE ABOUT THE 2024 DAY (and following years): Because the recently established United States federal holiday of Juneteenth is the same day as the current RTW Day, because many business and government entities now close on this day, and because RTW Day is about riding to work (as well as for utility transportation), starting in 2024 RTW Day will annually be on the Second Tuesday in June. This day is chosen because: A) it breaks up the workweek better than a Monday day does (RTW Day is a demonstration day), and B) because a midweek day is more likely to receive media coverage than a Monday or Friday.

We Are The Firm That Rides! ®