inside the chapter:
A 'sneak peak' at the new memorial bench for our beloved immediate past President, "JJ" Justice
at it's temporary location at the Veterans Memorial Center.
Original photo by Cindy Flowers
at it's temporary location at the Veterans Memorial Center.
Original photo by Cindy Flowers
Still selling our motorcycle raffle tickets at Space Coast Harley-Davidson
Photos by Cindy Flowers
Photos by Cindy Flowers
What is a leader? Someone who will be there, do that, and make sure the job gets done. President Lance Armstrong and one of our Ride Captains and BOD member Gary McClain, attending the Leesburg Bike Fest to sell the remaining Ride For Freedom XXXV Chapter 1 Florida motorcycle raffle tickets. If you would like one, please let us know - time and tickets are running out.
The city of Leesburg held its annual bike week this weekend. RTFL1 BOD Gary McClain and I arrived there mid day Friday. An 80% rain forecast didn’t hinder our mission attitude one bit. Fortunately we saw little rain the weekend when Florida had big hail for the prior two days.
Gator Harley Davidson was very well set up with approximately 30 vendors of everything from leathers, rings, motorcycle accessory‘s and the ability to install aftermarket high-performance components. Their stage, sound lights and bands were great. Management however, did not want us to advertise our Memorial day weekend event or receive donations for the RTFL1 bike raffle. We will be glad to work with them next year so that we can. This lead to our heading downtown.
Main Street downtown Leesburg is well set up, well supported by vendors, support staff, emergency services, and law enforcement. We scouted out the location and sold approximately 20 tickets Friday into the evening, had a hamburger, went back at it for another couple hours, and then headed to the motel, dead tired.
Scouting had paid off, along with a police cone, allowing us to park right at the event in a public free parking spot. Motorcycles pack this area with handlebar to handlebar, rear tire on curb parking. Hundreds also park in the center of the street for blocks. Gary and I set our comfortable chairs in the shade, next to a water fountain at the main intersection and had partial success.
Scouting out this stage I met the sound engineer and director of entertainment who wanted me to give a presentation about our Rolling Thunder Florida Ride for Freedom. We did this three times over the course of the afternoon, and into the evening. We sold every ticket we took, 70!
Thank you Leesburg and all who were there now planning to come in one month to the Ride for Freedom! A big time, “Thank you” to those who donated to us for bike raffle tickets. We look forward to a great three day event.
Lance Armstrong, DC
RTFL1 President
Gator Harley Davidson was very well set up with approximately 30 vendors of everything from leathers, rings, motorcycle accessory‘s and the ability to install aftermarket high-performance components. Their stage, sound lights and bands were great. Management however, did not want us to advertise our Memorial day weekend event or receive donations for the RTFL1 bike raffle. We will be glad to work with them next year so that we can. This lead to our heading downtown.
Main Street downtown Leesburg is well set up, well supported by vendors, support staff, emergency services, and law enforcement. We scouted out the location and sold approximately 20 tickets Friday into the evening, had a hamburger, went back at it for another couple hours, and then headed to the motel, dead tired.
Scouting had paid off, along with a police cone, allowing us to park right at the event in a public free parking spot. Motorcycles pack this area with handlebar to handlebar, rear tire on curb parking. Hundreds also park in the center of the street for blocks. Gary and I set our comfortable chairs in the shade, next to a water fountain at the main intersection and had partial success.
Scouting out this stage I met the sound engineer and director of entertainment who wanted me to give a presentation about our Rolling Thunder Florida Ride for Freedom. We did this three times over the course of the afternoon, and into the evening. We sold every ticket we took, 70!
Thank you Leesburg and all who were there now planning to come in one month to the Ride for Freedom! A big time, “Thank you” to those who donated to us for bike raffle tickets. We look forward to a great three day event.
Lance Armstrong, DC
RTFL1 President
Ride Captain Appointees receiving their patches:
(L-R) Bill Wagner, Jed Parks, Jim Istvan, Mike Dorn and Gary McClain. Far left Barbara Morris (COB), far right Lance Armstrong (President)
Willard Davis receives his Boot patch
Another day at Space Coast Harley-Davidson! L-R: Walt Marshall, Cindy Flowers, Larry Morris, Diatra Salmons, Barbara Morris.
Every Wednesday morning, the Chapter meets at a different restaurant to enjoy a good breakfast, and camaraderie. If you would like to get on the email notification list, just send a note to relaning64@gmail.com.
The push is on to sell the remaining motorcycle raffle tickets! Easter weekend at Space Coast Harley-Davidson dealership were Walt Marshall, Larry and Barbara Morris, Kay and 'Red' Dhaeze, Diatra Salmons, Theresa Camp, Jerry Lipson, and Cindy Flowers. Oh, and the Easter Bunny! Photo's by Walt Marshall
Did you know that members Don Pearsall and Dorothy Walsh Pearsall operate their own veterans service organization? It is a non-profit, and what they offer is Veterans' Connections' Equine Therapy. This type of program is nationally recognized, and if you or someone you know could benefit from this therapy, send Dorothy a note.
Umm, is the projector on?
Tom Fitzgerald of Solemn Pride, Inc. makes a presentation to the Chapter. He and his wife Denise are most notably known for their civil war clothing and their mule drawn caisson at many different events, especially at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery. The Chapter is proud to support their organization.
(L-R) Betty Jo Green - Secretary, Tom Fitzgerald, Cindy Flowers - Vice President, Lance Armstrong - President, Dick Laning - Treasurer, Tom Lynch - Rolling Thunder® Florida State Liaison, Barbara Morris - Chairperson of the Board.
(L-R) Betty Jo Green - Secretary, Tom Fitzgerald, Cindy Flowers - Vice President, Lance Armstrong - President, Dick Laning - Treasurer, Tom Lynch - Rolling Thunder® Florida State Liaison, Barbara Morris - Chairperson of the Board.
Rolling Thunder® Florida State Liaison Tom Lynch presents The Order of the Purple Heart challenge coin to three Chapter 1 members (L-R) John Juliano, Don Pearsall, and Bill Wagner.
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Rolling Thunder® Florida State Liaison Tom Lynch presents an excellence in service challenge coin to (L-R) Barbara Morris (COB), and Larry Morris.
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And ... if you're wondering what those gold covered jars are, well - it's honey - from our own bee Farmer and Chapter Treasurer, Dick Laning. They are for sale, so if you'd like some really good 'local' honey, let us know.
Good news for our Chaplin
Chaplain Chip, is in stable condition and expected to be released from Lake Nona Veterans Medical Center shortly. He had a clogged artery, referred to as the Widow Maker, which required emergency surgery for insertion of a stent. Fortunately, it was caught in time. He said the doctor told him that if he hadn’t come to the hospital at the time he did, he would not have survived another 48 hours. Our prayers extended for a full and quick recovery.
Special recognition's at the March General Membership Meeting
It is an honor to witness member achievements in the form of what we call 'patches' - our organizational "colors". A boot patch may be awarded a new member within 120 days of participating in events and meetings, but can be awarded at the end of 90 days. A Boot patch signifies the member now has the right to vote. One year after receiving their boot patch, members are eligible for their Rolling Thunder® Rocker & Eagle, indicating they are now a fully patched member.