The Virginia Biker Network Motorcycle News and Information - Iron Horse Cavalry Chapter/February reprot

Hello everyone,

The members of the Iron Horse Cavalry Chapter have been very busy since the beginning of the New Year. Between contacting our Representatives, attending session meetings and planning a bike show, it’s been a busy two months.

Dave Sutton, Eddie Witt and myself attended Lobby Day and meet with our local Representatives as well as other Representatives concerning our bills for this session. Dave presented awards and we were able to get pictures taken with some of our Delegates and Representatives.

Dave of course, is a long time Lobby Day participant but this was the first for Eddie and me. It was an awesome experience and I encourage each of you to try and go next year. To meet with those who represent you and make laws concerning you and your rights in our government and then seeing government in action IS a moving experience. It really makes you realize how important it is that YOU get involved and that YOU make yourself heard if you want changes in the government verses letting others do it for you.

We also got the chance to meet other ABATE members. It was good to put “a name with a face ” and meet in person those that are also out there fighting for our rights and ABATE.

Our members have also been very busy calling, writing and emailing our Representatives daily and weekly on the different bills concerning motorcyclists. We have been voicing our opinions and requesting for our Representatives to vote for our bills. Several of our members actually received responses and callbacks from some of the Representatives.

Our members also sent out emails to other groups and organizations to let them know of our bills and to ask for their support in contacting our Representatives. Because of their work, others were able to get the word out to their members and friends, which increased those writing the Representatives. I know. I got their emails, too.

I must say THANK YOU to all our members for their efforts during this session. Some told me that they had never called, written or contacted their Representatives until this year but would do so. These comments were from new ABATE members and it was great to have them support ABATE like this.

I want all the members who made the contacts, wrote the letters, and called the Representatives know that YOU made the difference for many of our bills this year and you should be proud of yourselves. I know that I am.

Our chapter has also been busy working on our first annual bike show. The bike show will be on Sunday, April 25, 2004 at Logan’s Roadhouse on Wards Road in Lynchburg, Virginia. We have also planned a rain date of May 2, 2004 if necessary.

Portions of the funds raised will be going to Chelsea Myers. She is a local 3 year old girl with Acute Lymphatic Leukemia. She is in need of financial support and we are going to do our best to help her.

Our bike show will have 10 classes, a Best of Show, live entertainment, a silent auction and 50/50 donation prizes. We are busy contacting area businesses for support and donations and getting everything ready for the show.

We expect to have a good turn out, praying for a warm spring day and hoping to raise a lot of money to help Chelsea! So, if your chapter can come to our show, it would be great to meet you all and to have your support as well.

We are also electing a new Coordinator. Joe McKinley resigned as coordinator due to his new job. He is still going to be an active IHCC member and will continue to help the chapter as much as he can. I am unable to assume this position so I have, as acting or temporary Coordinator, called for a special election at our March meeting.

So, as you can see, we’ve been busy this winter! We are looking forward to the spring, supporting ABATE of VA, helping little Chelsea and of course, looking forward to riding as often as we can!

We hope that you and your chapter will all mark your calendars and attend our bike show. It would be nice to meet you and to have your support. It’s always great meeting new ABATE members!

Ride Safe! Ride Free! and Ride OFTEN!

Jamie

Jamie Terry
Acting Coordinator
Iron Horse Cavalry Chapter/ABATE of VA Inc
Jtluvsharleys@aol.com