Meeting of the Minds September 2003

pictures by Betsy E Lister and Robert LeTourneau

CAPTIONS TO FOLLOW.....

MOTM  Fond memories
9/22/2003
© by Gypsypashn ---,--'--<{@

At the Meeting of the Minds
Better bikers you'll never find
The people that I met
Are the greatest fighters yet!
I felt so honored to be present
With so many living legends
I just wish we could improve
And out 'there' the apathy move
So others would join the fight
Because they know it's right

This weekend we shared our thoughts
Ways to improve our rights were taught
And everyone had a say
Throughout the entire day
Many awards were given
To those who had risen
To the next plateau of the cause
Receiving a thunderous applause
I tell y'all this and share
With those that weren't there
Because there's such a sense of pride
Amongst those of us who ride

A mere three hundred folk
Fought, shared, cried and joked
And raised a ton of money!
Ninety-six thousand dollars, honey!
Deep pockets all around
Donations did abound
But the richest part of all
Was when the auctioneer did call
"Tonight we have a special token
Of a brother that was broken
And taken from us too soon
Let's take this bidding to the moon!"

The emcee then did commence
The honorable remembrance
Of President Buck Kittredge
I'm glad I had the privilege
Of actually being there
When the spokesman did declare
Him a staunch stalwart fighter
An emotional cause igniter
A leader of strength and dignitary
Who went far beyond being ordinary

The entire weekend was based
Protecting the freedoms he chased
We were there to carry on
So what he lived for wouldn't be gone
As raffles items did sell
Emotions began to swell
Through his family's strife
But to epitomize his life
They donated his item most prized
To everyone's surprise!

When Buck's buckle and his belt
Were raffled off it felt
As if the ceiling would blow
From the heartfelt glow
And when John Bolin hollered
"I'll bid three thousand dollars"
The soulful feeling
Sent the whole room reeling!
No sooner had he paid
The prize he took and laid
In the lap of Buck's young son
Tears rose in everyone!
He said in a voice that quivered
"Your dad would want this delivered
And to be passed unto you
I know this to be true"

I can't begin to tell
How Susan Buck's tears did swell
And mirrored those of mine
Bitter-sweet feelings oh so fine
Never ever before have I
Felt so privileged to cry
In front of a cast of many
Dry eyes there just weren't any!

So many grand ideas
Were shared as well as fears
It was my first MOTM
But you can bet I'll go again.

With HIPPAA and the EPA breathing
Down our backs our rights are leaving
If three hundred can bond and save
An organization from its grave
Imagine what thousands could do
Now I'm requesting all of you
To get totally involved
So our freedoms can evolve

I came home to continue the fight
To saving bikers' rights
It's really a sad fact
That most of us only react
After a life is lost
That's truly too great a cost
Please get involved right now
We'll be by your side to show you how