Volume 1, Issue 4 by CuMorrigu Ursari

U. S. Marines - Semper Fidelis Veterans Motorcycle Association

Happy Anniversary

Your Newsletters first full year Inside this Issue The First Year Remote Members Report Ride Report and, much moreâ&#x20AC;Ś.

April, 1, 2010 God - Family - Country - Corps

U. S. Marines - Semper Fidelis Veterans Motorcycle Association

So– Long

Apr.—Jun, 2010 Volume 1 Issue 4 Inside:

By: Curly

Greetings Marines,

Page

Cover

So-Long

Bear Facts

Ride Report

Iowa Members

The First Year

Classifieds

Calendars/Events

Officers President: Patrick Johnson (Oso)

Vice President Tony Harrison (Magnum)

Well this issue represent a full year of your newsletter, I hope that everyone has found it fun and interesting to read, there is still a lot of work that can be done to improve it and it is my deepest hope that the association will take this effort to the next level, as some of your know Sina and I will be retiring at the end of this year and as such will be traveling a great deal and just will not have the time necessary to produce the quality of newsletter that the association deserves, Tony Harrison (Magnum) has agreed to pick up the banner and take this forward, I will be working with him the rest of the year to make this handoff as seamless as possible. I look forward to my retirement with excitement and anticipation, I wish everyone the best and hope to be able to continue riding with the group from time to time, thanks again, and

Treasurer Philip Cullen (Shanghi)

Secretary

Semper Fi Curly

Vinny Detmer (Vinny)

JAG Doug McLeod (Daddy-O)

Sgt at Arms Glenn Paschall (Gunny)

Please remember this is your association newsletter. Let us know what you think... Send your suggestions, news articles, photos, rides, events and etc…

Sgt at Arms Harmon Meeker (Dutch)

To: Newsletter or Newsletter@usmarinessf.com

Newsletter Editor Jim Gibson (Curly)

God - Family - Country - Corps

U. S. Marines - Semper Fidelis Veterans Motorcycle Association

From the President “Bear Facts”

By: Oso

Marines, The new riding season is definitely upon us. The cold months are falling by the wayside and our calendar is full. In the next few months we will hold annual elections and participate in one of our most important events, which is the Memorial Day Celebration at the local National Veterans Cemetery. Prior to that we have two great rides coming up to include the Painted Churches Tour……..a must see ride from what I am told, and a Dart run to be held near Brenham, which will provide us ample opportunity to take in the beauty of the Texas Bluebonnets as they bloom. The past several months have seen the Association dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s on many administrative matters. With those behind us, I feel that we are stronger than ever and that the time has come for us to truly focus on the Mission Statement of our Association. As a reminder to all of us, it is as follows: As a Nonprofit Corporation, we shall strive primarily to unite those veterans who have honorably served as well as those who presently serve in the United States Marine Corps, all of whom share in the sport of motorcycling and in serving the philanthropic needs of Marines and their families. We are a family oriented, non-political, and non-territorial association. We support all veterans’ causes whenever and wherever possible. We are not affiliated with the United States Marine Corps in any official capacity. The point I call attention to is that of supporting veterans’ causes whenever and wherever possible. While in the past, we have provided financial support for the Texas Honor Ride, and shall continue to do so……. two new causes are now at the forefront of our attention. The first is the Bay Area Builders. While we have previously acknowledged this cause, and are in fact collecting funds for it via each 50/50 drawing we hold; volunteers will be needed to assist in the benefit concert they are sponsoring, which is to be held in June. Individuals will be needed to take in tickets, take out the trash, or any of a number of other things. I can think of no better way to live up to our mission statement, than for our members to actually provide a helping hand with this event. While it is great that we donate funds to causes such as this; the benefit and good that will come, both to the Association and personally, in actually providing physical assistance shall be tenfold. The second cause coming on strong as of late is that of the Houston Area Marine Moms. Several of our members recently participated in a Patriot Guard Mission and were extremely moved by not only the event, but the mission and services that the mothers of today’s young Marines are focusing on. This too is a cause that our Association could and should be involved with by means of both financial and physical assistance. I ask you all to search deep within yourselves and ask the question, “How much can I give?” I think you will find like I do, that your answer will be, “Much more.”

We can do no great things, only small things with great love. — Mother Theresa Semper Fi, Oso

God - Family - Country - Corps

U. S. Marines - Semper Fidelis Veterans Motorcycle Association

Huntsville Ride

By: Oso

......Well, March starting showing warmer weather for us, which mean only one thing........It was time for us to get out and ride. We were originally scheduled to visit a local icehouse in Houston, but we learned that it was closed on Sunday's so we made a ad-hoc change to the ride schedule and took out on the Saturday instead as the weather was beckoning us on. In the past we had visited the H.E.A.R.T.S. (Helping Every American Remembering Through Service) located in Huntsville. However, within the past two years, the small venue, which had been kept at a local mall, was moved into its' own building on the north side of town. We saddled up early enough to get us into Huntsville around 1100 hours. We were happy to see our Brother, Jay Kimbrough, who had rode in from College Station, was there to meet us. Whether you have seen the museum before at its smaller location, you should really put visiting the new location on your to do list. The amount of work which went into this project by the local area volunteers is really amazing. Each exhibit speaks to you, the visitor, in its own way. After everyone had a chance to view the museum at his or her own pace, we then moved over to the Texas Prison Museum which is located next door. A short eight minute introduction video on the daily operations of the prison system and what it cost the State of Texas tax payers each year to house a single inmate, left us all with the same thought.......a bullet is so much cheaper. Everyone got a kick out of "Old Sparky", the now defunct electric chair which sent many a fool on there merry way into the next life. Now Texas is "Kinder and Gentler." We give our inmates a three mix cocktail. The first puts you to sleep, the second paralysis you and the third stops your heart. "Bon Voyage fool, say hello to Hitler, your new cellmate." The prison had numerous artifacts, which captured the individual attention of each of us. I particularly liked "Prisonoply", a play on monopoly. One does not go to jail, but goes to Administrative Segregation, and one of the penalty cards is having to pay each player two-hundred dollars because, "You are Weak." After the visit we then had lunch at McKenzie's BBQ, a must sample fare if you are ever in Huntsville. We then rode SH-75 S back into Conroe and then took IH-45 back into Houston with everyone returning safely home.

Semper Fi, Oso

God - Family - Country - Corps

U. S. Marines - Semper Fidelis Veterans Motorcycle Association

Iowa Report

By: Buca

The frozen tundra has shown signs of weakness as the grass, trees, and an occasional spring plant break through. We are fast approaching riding season and might get into the 60’s this week. A few weeks ago, A couple of us got together to make a plan for the 2010 riding year. Since our numbers are small, but growing, we created a plan to “patch-in” our two newest members while making a few assignments as well. It was decided that we would organize a ride every other weekend and each ride would have a “ride master” who would be responsible for planning the route and stops along the way. These events will start in April, after the weather has warmed up and the sand has been cleaned off the streets. (And after this very harsh winter… the sand is treacherous for motorcycles) We are also planning a number of “dine and ride” events this summer. Since all of us live in and around Des Moines, we thought that might be easy if we schedule one evening a month to meet in the Des Moines area for dinner. Following dinner we will take a short ride around the city before heading our individual ways. In short, the plan is to create more opportunities for all of us to gather in one place at the same time. We saw that recruiting improved when we were all together.

Semper Fi, Buca

God - Family - Country - Corps

U. S. Marines - Semper Fidelis Veterans Motorcycle Association

The First Year

By: Jim Gibson

First off let me say it has been my distinct honor, privilege, and, great pleasure to have been allowed to work on this newsletter for you.

In the past year we have attempted to bring you, the membership, information and reading pleasure about your association we have sought out stories of rides that have occurred, parties that have been put together, personal situations that have occurred and much more, but let me tell all of you that each and every article this past year that has been published has been provided by either one of your board officers or a guest rider that took the time to put together some thoughts and send them in, not one article has been from a general member, this newsletter will succeed because of a few whom are willing to take a few minutes of their time, put their observations in writing and get them to the newsletter for inclusion.

I ask that each member take a moment to look within and ask themselves if they can find some time after a ride to simply write down what they are thinking and send it in, it is YOUR newsletter and you have every right to have your thoughts, observations, photo's, stories and the like included…

PLEASE DON’T LET THIS NEWSLETTER FAIL … Participate

Semper Fi, Curly

God - Family - Country - Corps

U. S. Marines - Semper Fidelis Veterans Motorcycle Association

Classifieds For Sale 1994 Harley Davidson, FLSTC - Heritage Classic • Retro conversion back to chain drive, • 16" Apes with braided cables • New rear tire • Vance & Hines Longshots • New Primary & Final drive Sprockets with new chains • New Shocks • Paint is 1-1/2 years old • Adjustable push rods with solid lifter conversion (Torque!!!!!) • K&N Filter • New Brake Pads • New Front Rotor • tons of chrome & many more extra's... just to much to list Asking $11,000 contact Wayne at FXRS198450@yahoo.com

God - Family - Country - Corps

U. S. Marines - Semper Fidelis Veterans Motorcycle Association

Events April

APRIL 2010 SU

4/10 - 3rd Annual Bike Dart Run - Greenvine

4/24 – Painted Churches - Schulenburg

M AY 2 0 1 0 SU

May TH

5/1— General Membership Meeting

1 2

JUNE SU

5/31— Memorial Day Houston National Veterans Cemetery

2010

June

6/19 - Area Builders Hometown Heroes – Volunteer Duty 6/27 - Bay West of the Brazos – Damon

Remember to always check the website for updates on the Events Page

God - Family - Country - Corps