Hello, Friends--
I hope everyone is gearing up for an enjoyable Independence Day Weekend with family, friends and loved ones. To get things off on the right foot, I'm sending along my July Tiger Tales article for you to take a look at, and I hope you enjoy it. I want to pass along my best wishes for a Happy Fourth of July as America celebrates its 235th Birthday. Remember as we try to keep cool and enjoy our fireworks that thousands of our Brothers and Sisters in the Armed Forces continue to place themselves in harm's way so that our Nation will be able to celebrate its Liberty and Independence for many more Birthdays to come! Please stay safe out there as we navigate through the 101 Critical Days of Summer, and I look forward to seeing you soon. July 1 marks the Birthday honoring the establishment of the Petty Officer rank in the United States Navy, so this Air Force Veteran wants to pay tribute to my friends who have served honorably in the finest Navy that has ever sailed. Anyone with any Military experience knows that NCOs are the ones who make things happen! Before I send this, I want to express Solidarity with a couple of Family Members. Bandido Hun was in a serious bike wreck, and has been recuperating from surgery in Tulsa. Please remember Bandido Hun and PBOL Vickey in your thoughts and prayers--I pass along respects and best wishes for a speedy recovery. On the outset of this festive weekend, Soxks and Kat of our Three Sands ABATE Chapter got their bike stolen from their home in Ponca City. It's a V-Twin with a "Barney Purple" paint job, and has an ABATE sticker on it. Bike thieves are among the lowest of Life Forms, so I fervently hope some leads will materialize which might lead to recovery of the machine.
With Love and In Freedom,
Tiger Mike Revere,
Proud Lifetime Member #001, ABATE of Oklahoma, Inc.
TIGER TALES – JULY, 2011
Greetings to all my Riding Brothers and Sisters! I hope all of you are doing a good job of beating the heat so far this summer while taking part in numerous activities being hosted. I’ve provided a recap of a very successful 2011 NCOM Convention already, so I hope that’ll convince more Oklahomans to attend next year! On the heels of that Convention, ABATE and the Oklahoma Confederation of Clubs are preparing for the NCOM Region 2 Conference scheduled for November 18-19 at the Wyndham Hotel in Tulsa. This six-state get together will feature educational and informative seminars, as well as a regional Confederations of Clubs meeting to promote unity and cooperation among all motorcycling groups. ABATE and the Oklahoma Confederation long have enjoyed a close, mutually beneficial working relationship to enhance Riding Freedom and improve Quality of Life for all motorcyclists and trikers. This needs to expand across the Country! We put on a very successful Old Fashioned Biker Party at Hawg Lakes June 10-12, and more fun events are planned. Keep checking out the Confederation Website at www.okcoc.net for more information.
I want to again issue my heartfelt thanks to all who were able to attend COD ABATE’s 19th Annual War Memorial Run to the Oklahoma Veterans’ Memorial Park at the State Capitol on May 30. The air reverberated with the sound of hundreds of bikes-our own little Oklahoma Rolling Thunder! Over 380 Motorcycles, Trikes and Four-Wheelers carrying over 500 people participated in the event, which again departed from the Skyline Restaurant in South Oklahoma City. The American Legion Riders Post #1340, a longtime event supporter, collected several bags of items and cash donations for the Oklahoma Veterans’ Home in Norman. The Memorial Day Services, hosted by the Sooner Detachment of the Oklahoma Marine Corps League, consisted of the National Anthem, an invocation, a Keynote Address, laying of multiple wreaths, and the playing of “Taps” in tribute to our Military Members who gave their lives for the Nation, so that we might continue to enjoy Liberty. I was again honored and humbled to speak on behalf of our Riding Community, which once again far outnumbered any others in attendance. After the ceremony was concluded, it was a privilege for some of our number to join in the reading of the well over 10,000 names of Oklahomans who fell in battle from the Spanish-American War to the present. The name-reading takes over eight hours to accomplish.
Later in the day, attendees were invited to head over to the K-Saloon for a free Hot Dog Cookout and relaxation in a Biker-Friendly setting. This is a first class watering hole on OKC’s South Side, and is worth cruising by for a visit. In fact, Tina, the Manager, used to tend bar at the old Bricktown Charley’s back in the day, so the place is definitely old-school. COD ABATE thanks K-Saloon for their hospitality, and also our American Legion Post outriders and Spiritual Riding Groups for their service. Thanks also to the OKC Police Department Solo Motor Division, led by Lt. Hutson, for again escorting the Bike Parade. We were honored to give the unit an ABATE Certificate of Appreciation for their efforts-they truly are OKC’s Finest! We had a number of new attendees this year, and we hope everyone will join us at our Veterans’ Day Run held every November 11. I’ll be looking for you! To underscore the importance of our participating, just after Memorial Day, Army Ranger SFC Leroy Arthur Petry was awarded the Medal of Honor. He served 6 tours in Afghanistan and 2 in Iraq. Wounded in both legs and under fire from many Taliban, he fell on and threw away a grenade to protect his buddies. The grenade detonated and blew his arm off, but he survived. Teach your children about Military Heroes such as these-America continues to produce them, thank God!
Tiger’s Tip O’ The Month: It seems like the “Heat Dome” which hits us late in the summer has arrived a month earlier this year, with temperatures in the high 90s and low 100s since mid-June. Staying hydrated is always a challenge when riding in extremely hot weather, so be sure to drink lots of water and avoid heat stress. Periodically take rest stops in the shade and regroup. You can keep your electrolyte balance up by eating bananas-they’re high in Potassium and will keep your muscles from cramping. Folks have even lost control of their machines due to passing out from hyperthermia, so be sure to stay in the best of health!
Well, it’s time to wrap this up for another month, and I look forward to visiting with you again soon! Before I close this article, I want to salute one of our Chapter’s “Magic Members”: Monte “Stick” Keiner, who’s supported by his wife Sheila “Rose”. They were COD ABATE Members many years ago, and came back to rejoin the Chapter recently. He signed on as Chapter Historian and Events Coordinator, and has labored hard to organize more activities so ABATE can put its best foot forward to promote a Positive Biker Image in the Community. He also has signed up quite a number of new ABATE Members over the past four months, most recently at the Pro-Veterans Rally sponsored by Fort Thunder Harley-Davidson in Moore, OK June 3-5. Monte and Sheila are really enthusiastic about staying involved and promoting what ABATE is all about, so welcome back-we’re lucky to have you! Folks like this, and so many others in all of our Chapters warm the heart of this Lifetime ABATE Member as he turns 59 this month. Take care of each other, stay cool, and I’ll see you on the Road.
Keep It On The Black Strip Between The Trees,
Tiger Mike
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