ABATE

July 10th already! I’ve been getting reports regarding accidents by newspapers and TV news, and I’m not happy about all the accidents that have been happening lately. It’s all too often that you keep hearing the same stories about near-misses, close calls, accidents, even death. Here in Monroe County we had another car driver cross the median and kill a husband and wife in a head-on collision. So sad. They never had a chance. Just minding their own business and going to get an ice cream. More than likely, the car driver was distracted or under the influence.

Last month when Denise and I were on our way to the field meet, we had a spring break on the kickstand and that was a pain in the butt. I called the nearest Harley dealer in the area of West Branch and asked then if I could bring the bike in and get it fixed because we were on the road. The service manager said yes. Believe it or not, we were there only forty-five minutes, the stand was fixed and total cost was 14 dollars. No way, right? I gave them a twenty and told them to keep the change—no kidding! Thank you to Gildner’s Harley-Davidson in West Branch. you guys were super nice and accommodating. We just got back from the COC meeting in Potterville with the Diamondbacks and those club members were awesome. ABATE won the trophy for having the most members there from a motorcycle organization. This is the second time we won the trophy! There were 82 members of ABATE, thanks to Region 14, Region 13, Region 15, Region 18 and Region 11 Alice Jacob, Jim Rhodes, and Herb Rials. Great representation! There was a run from A & M Leather to Camp Cavell in Ludington for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and roughly 72 bikes with 5 sidecars attended to ride the children around in. It was well attended by American Legion Riders, HOG, Axmen, Veterans Clubs, Eagle Riders, Mason Riders, and the looks on those children riding in the sidecars were priceless. One of our members from Region 14 with a sidecar was Tom and Sandy Ray. So cool! Many thanks to everyone! There are so many events coming up across the State so please try to attend at least a couple of them. ABATE works very hard in Lansing and all the donations make a huge difference for all bikers across the State of Michigan. Region 14 will be having a campout on the Labor Day weekend August 31st – September 1st. Please try to make it. It’s for AWARENESS. Everyone, please be careful out there. Many issues need to be addressed like profiling and harassment. It is real. Go to the polls and VOTE in the Primary. Make your voice count. God Bless.

May the road rise to meet you and the wind always be at your back!

Hot Rod

State Awareness Director

TO BECOME A MEMBER & SHOW YOUR SUPPORT… ABATE of Michigan online membership. Visit our State website then click on: Membership / Join www.abateofmichigan.org

ABATE State Awareness Director Hot Rod Beaton 419-349-8075