Friday, December 28, 2007

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

MAP invites you to show your support for our military service veterans by displaying one of our window decals or bumper stickers.
We are offering these at a minimal cost ($3.50) so you can show your support of veterans and help us continue our nonprofit endeavors.

This window decal image is close to the actual 4” diameter size.  The colors are pretty much as you see them but the background muddies up when scanned into the web site.  The background is more silver “in person” than in this image.

Sorry, no “Pay Pal” at this time.
Please send check or money order to MAP, PO Box 48072, Burien, WA 98148 along with a clearly printed or typed name and address.  (We do not want to dissapoint because we could not read the writing.)

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

M.A.P. LOGO

M.A.P. has applied for a trademark of the logo design that you see here.  At this writing the process is approximately 50% completed.  In the words of the United States Patent And Trademark Office: The mark appears to be entitled to registration.  The mark will be published in the Official Gazette on Jan. 8, 2008 for the purpose of opposition by any person who believes that he will be damaged by the registration of the mark.  This lengthy process is on schedule at this time.

We have a P.O.B. where you may send anything of a nature that cannot be electronically transmitted.
The physical address is Motorcyclist Awareness Project (or just MAP) P.O. Box 48072, Burien, WA 98148.
We need help in so many ways in order to achieve our varied goals.  We are a grass roots operation in Western Washington with big visions and little else. 
Suggestions?  Volunteers?  Donations?
* Please note that any contribution whether monetary or in-kind is tax deductible referencing our EIN 20-1609474.

Saturday, May 27, 2006

In Memoriam - Online Memorial

In holding with the tradition of those we support, military, police and firefighters, all of whom have memorials for their fallen comrades, we at MAP wish to memorialize fallen riders.

We visualize a memorial plaza with a life size bronze sculpture of a motorcyclist giving a gift to a child, which exemplifies the charitable nature of the motorcycling community and will capture the freedom associated with the motorcycling lifestyle.
This memorial plaza will be a place of peace and solitude, in a park-like setting, available to anyone who wishes to visit.
The timeline for completion of this vision is entirely dependent on funding.

Names of those submitted, and those that we gather from other means, will initially be displayed on this web site and at a later time will become the focus of the physical monument.

An online memorial is a meaningful way to celebrate the life of a beloved family member, friend or fellow rider who has passed away. It is a forum to pay tribute to the departed and offer comfort to those left behind. We ask that you of the motorcycling family (brothers & sisters in the wind) please submit pictures and eulogies of those to be remembered to: map@reachawareness.org
(It is not necessary for a eulogy to be accompanied by a picture.)
We would like to offer a heart felt thank you to all who entrust us with their loved one’s memories.

* For now and the immediate future submissions will appear below until such time as we develop the web site further. *

Randy Scott -August 6, 1956 to May 1, 2004

This was my beloved husband, Randy Scott, He was killed when a driver, not paying attention, hit him head on. We enjoyed riding all over the United States and visiting many National Parks. It was the best time of my entire life. We met so many great and wonderful fellow bikers along the way!  The hole in my heart will not heal till I’m with him again in heaven.
Thank you.
Elizabeth Scott

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

CHRISTMAS AT ORTING

Motorcyclist Awareness Project along with the same fine Americans who participated in the “Friends of Vets” ride on September 8th helped to make a merry Christmas for ten veterans at the Washington Soldier’s Home in Orting.  The veterans represented by our ten persons is a tiny part of the fine American service veterans at Orting but this is all that we could handle with our modest sized group.  We will be striving to enlarge our part in this Christmas giving as well as other areas of support for these veterans.  We are happy to report that the American Legion plays a huge part in supporting the residents at Orting which means that none are left out.  We are just happy that we can do what we did for these folks.  It is great to get the wish list of a veteran - or veterans - and play Santa.

Saturday, September 08, 2007

Friends Of Veterans Ride To WA Soldiers Home In Orting

Friends Of Vets showed their caring for the residents of the WA Soldiers Home in Orting Washington on September 8, 2007.  Look for Motorcyclist Awareness Project to be paying a visit to this veteran’s home approximately every six months.  We will also be involving ourselves in running an occasional bingo game for the veterans.  They really enjoy these games and we have lerned that this is something that interested parties can do to get further involved with uplifting the spirits of the veterans, so we are jumping at the opportunity to have a good time with them by doing this.  Yet another area where we can show some love to these folks is at Christmas time by obtaining a wish list from the administration of the home and giving gifts accordingly. 
Anyone who reads this and is inspired by what you see here.  Do not hesitate to research veteran’s homes in your area and see what the needs are of the residents of these facilities.  It takes some talking with the residents, as well as the administration.  We have found that the residents of the State run veteran’s homes need primarily personal hygiene items of every kind (including the cleaners and adhesives for dentures).  They also can use nice hand-me-down clothing and white crew socks are a big hit.  With what little money they have left after giving up their social security check or military pension check to the home for their keep, they have need for help in the aforementioned areas primarily.
The Friends Of Vets ride collected and presented a bounty of the needed items, but we did not think of the Fixident.  We will not forget next time.
Anyone who wishes to join un on our next trip to visit the vets please e-mail us to be on a contact list.  Anyone out of our Puget Sound area please find your local veteran’s home and visit.
At this point I would like to put names to the faces in this picture of our friends.
From the left-to-right as the picture is viewed is Laura Thorsell, Gerald (Jerry) Thorsell, Keith McCandless, Keith Birkhofer, Jerry Foley, Paul Burton, Dave Peckenpough, Nan Whitehead (Cagey), Lynn Dixon (me), Sharri Cressman with Don Cressman standing behind her, and last but not least we have Angus in the front (guarding the bike).

The Invaluable Behind The Scenes Support Personnel

We are fortunate at MAP to have a very generous and caring support staff who were invaluable in making the Friends Of Veterans ride to the WA Soldiers Home in Orting a marvelous success.  I would like to make it known who these individuals are.  For each MAP event we would like to list the names and sometimes a picture of these extremely generous and dedicated folks.  We would not be able to do the things we wish to do to support our military past, present and future without each and every one of these “invisible” persons behind the scenes, contributing time, effort and often their own money.  Hooah !!!  Pronounced “Ooh-raw” according to http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-12101.html
Pictured here is:
Christine Dixon on our left.
Keith McCandless’ wife Brenda in the middle.
Keith & Brenda’s friend Heather on our right.
Heather’s Son Angus in front.
Not pictured here but the fifth person from our right in the group picture above is the Owner of the Maaco shop Dave Peckenpough.
Not pictured here anywhere but hugely instrumental in the success of the 9/8/07 ride is Brenda’s Mother Ginger Sweet.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OF THESE FINE PEOPLE.

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Retsil Veteran's Home Ride

Every year we participate in the motorcyclist ride to the Retsil Veteran’s Home in Port Orchard. This is mainly an event put together by motorcyclists in the Bremerton / Kitsap area (the Silverdale Harley Owner’s group), but all are welcome. It is a great day full of camaraderie and giving the Vets a chance to see some bikes, visit with the riders, and share “war stories.” Everyone brings along donations. The Harley-Davidson t-shirts are a big hit, plus items for their “rec” room area.

Sunday, June 04, 2006

Freedom Bridge

Freedom Bridge Dedication (Exit 122 – Berkeley St. Overpass) June 3, 2006

If you have ever driven over or under this overpass, perhaps you have seen The Bridge People Regulars, troop supporters who have shown up every weekend for the last three years, on the overpass waving flags and expressing their support for our military and their families, rain or shine.
Thanks to a steadfast group of volunteers and a call made to Senator Mike Carrell about 18 months ago, the overpass has been officially renamed Freedom Bridge.
There were several dignitaries and representatives from branches of the military present on Saturday morning at Camp Murray for an inspiring ceremony and round of speeches.
We had the honor of being present at the ribbon cutting and were especially struck by a speech given by the representative of the group called: The Bridge People Regulars, Florence Dix. (Pictured below.)

The Renaming of Freedom Bridge
(Speech for Dedication Ceremony, June 3, 2006)
by Florence E. Dix

Many believe Freedom is divinely ordained.  For sure, Freedom is precious, empowering, and, according to Thomas Paine, glorious in triumph.  Freedom is also often misunderstood, taken for granted, certainly abused; yet it still unites, rather than divides.  It is hard won, all too easily lost.  It stirs the deepest passions, but is neither partisan nor polarizing.  Freedom is tangible, visceral, and excites our senses: it is like breathing, like a lantern’s beam in the darkest night, like the rustling of the flag in the wind; it is what brings tears to our eyes when Old Glory passes by or the National Anthem plays.

As our Founding Fathers expressed, Freedom is built brick by brick, precept upon precept, always secured by the health, wealth, lives and limbs of millions of patriots who, like our Founding Fathers, pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to what George Washington and Thomas Paine called “the cause of all mankind.” The craving for Freedom is universal, yet Freedom in America is distinctive and unique throughout all of world history. 

This is illustrated by a single fact: the signature of the most important figure in the nation’s founding – George Washington – cannot be found among the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence.  Now how could this be?  Because General Washington was leading the Continental Army, protecting the Continental Congress, so the Founding Fathers could create our Declaration of Independence – a first step toward writing those marvelous documents, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Thus we state unequivocally, undebatably, the Armed Forces of this Republic are the foundation upon which our Freedom is built.  It is true that the Military defends and protects our Freedom; but it goes far beyond that: they ARE the very foundation of it.  Without the Military, the United States and Freedom would not exist.  Freedom is indeed fragile, is not free, and the highest price for all its benefits is paid by our amazing Armed Forces.

It is appropriate, then, that a veteran, 1st Sergeant Richard Rabisa, be the reason we are here today.  A proud Infantryman for 21 years, Sergeant Rabisa saw duty in Germany, in Korea at the end of that war, and two combat tours in Vietnam.  His vision and resolve put this wheel in motion, which, combined with the efforts of Senator Carrell and other State legislators, have resulted in a victory for Freedom Bridge.  Sergeant Rabisa embodies our concept of the free citizen, and of the power of a single individual in a free society.  “But renaming The Bridge is not for me,” the Sergeant emphasized. “It is for the ones who have defended our Freedom, and for their families, that I felt this must happen, and I wasn’t going to stop until it did.”

It is also appropriate to honor Captain Phyllis Jane Keller, United States Air Force, Retired, who recently passed on.  A military pioneer in her own right, as a long time member of the Bridge People Regulars she was a tireless, steadfast, enthusiastic supporter of Freedom Bridge.  Phyllis expressed contagious delight when she heard the Freedom Bridge proposal had been approved by the DOT.  This event would have pleased her no end, and we wish she could have celebrated it with us today.

Fallen hero Duane Longstreth, whose family are Bridge People Regulars, is special to us.  At 17, shortly after 9-11, he enlisted in the Army.  At 18, he was deployed to Iraq with Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he died shortly after his 19th birthday.  He was so clear about why he volunteered: to help protect his family and the nation from further attacks.  Duane epitomizes the brave millions of Fallen Heroes whose blood has bought, and continues to preserve, our Freedom.

From America’s beginnings, they – all our Military – represent the best of the best, the finest of the fine.  They continue to emerge from the country’s heart to protect and defend us and all we hold dear.  It is to them and their families that Freedom Bridge is dedicated.  This structure will now serve as a reminder to every one of the countless passing vehicles that this community loves and supports its warrior heroes and heroines. 

New tyrannies unlike any before are now coming against us.  But no matter how enemies from without, or fifth columns from within, try to undermine or attack our Armed Forces, they will never succeed.  The relationship between civilian and soldier is sacred, profound, and inviolable.  We know this is not only the land of the free and the home of the brave; it is the land of the free BECAUSE of the brave.  So, on behalf of The Bridge People Regulars of Outpost 122, now at Freedom Bridge, we honor, respect, and thank all of you and your families for centuries of selfless sacrifice.  We live in Freedom because of you.  Simply put, though inadequately expressed here, we owe you everything.  Period.  We civilians can never repay you properly.  But Freedom Bridge is a jolly good start!

Posted by Lynn Dixon on 06/04 at 06:11 PM
Permalink

Thursday, May 25, 2006

LINKS

We at MAP from time-to-time become aware of websites or events that are supportive of our fellow Americans in uniform or patriotic in nature.
Each individual site in its own way reflects the care and time of those involved in designing it.  The web is a huge universe of ideas and creativity – there are musicians, artists, poets, mothers & fathers – all trying to do their part in showing their appreciation.
We would like to include some of those web and photo links here – in no way to be considered promotion or endorsement – we are listing them here for you as a source for your enlightenment.
As we are part of, and represent, the motorcycling community we also will include those of interest to the motorcyclist.

2006 Rally For The Troops III video - http://www.rallyforthetroops.com/video.htm
2006 Rally For The Troops III pictures - http://destination.smugmug.com/gallery/1645164
Jerry Calow SongWriter And Musician - http://www.raskys.com/vietnam/jerrycz.html
Sagebrush Patriot - http://sagebrushpatriot.com/america.htm
Cherished Images Photography - http://www.cherishedimagesphoto.com/
United States Marine Corps Motorcycle Club - http://usmcmc.org/
Biker Worlds - http://www.bikerworlds.com/

Friday, May 19, 2006

Message To The Troops

Please join us in telling our fellow Americans in uniform that serve in all branches of the United States armed forces that we care a great deal for them and wish them all the best.
We invite you to send a picture via email or other method such as on a computer disk.  Please accompany the picture with a message you would like to get to those who serve our country. We will also be taking pictures of those that we come into contact with who wish to participate. We will publish these pictures and accompanying messages on the Motorcyclist Awareness Project website and promote the website (with your help?), so that service personnel worldwide will log on to view our thoughts of appreciation for all they do.

We salute you, our fellow Americans in uniform, in all branches of the United States Armed Forces for your service to our country. We applaud you for all you do and wish you all the best.

Sunday, May 07, 2006

Our Friends

MAP supports all groups whose mission is the support of our fellow Americans in uniform.

Please vistit the website of our friends the Patriot Guard Riders, whose work we hold in high regard.

http://www.patriotguard.org/Home/tabid/53/Default.aspx

Patriot Guard Riders Mission Statement

The Patriot Guard Riders is a diverse amalgamation of riders from across the nation. We have one thing in common besides motorcycles. We have an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America’s freedom and security. If you share this respect, please join us.

We don’t care what you ride, what your political views are, or whether you’re a “hawk” or a “dove”. It is not a requirement that you be a veteran. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what your income is.  You don’t even have to ride. The only prerequisite is Respect.

Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission we undertake has two basic objectives.

1. Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.

2. Shield the mourning family and friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors.

We accomplish the latter through strictly legal and non-violent means.

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Tiny plot of grass

One of the primary missions of MAP is supporting our fellow Americans in uniform, so we are always on the lookout for uplifting stories concerning our military.

Motorcyclist Awareness Project takes to heart all news concerning our fellow Americans in uniform. All too often the news is grim in nature and breaks the heart, but fortunately there are heartwarming stories such as the following that we most love, and wish that there were more of. Whenever possible MAP will bring such stories to you for your enjoyment. Hope that you enjoy the following.

Here is a soldier stationed in Iraq, stationed in a big sand box. He asked his wife to send him dirt (US. soil), fertilizer and some grass seed SO he can smell the sweet aroma, and feel the grass growing beneath his feet. When the men of the squadron have A mission they are going on they take turns walking through the grass and the American soil to bring them good luck.

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Safety Conventions for Group Riding

Safety is always the first thought; you are responsible for the safe operation of your own bike. 
 
Obey all traffic rules of the road, even if you are riding in a police-escorted group.  Signal for turns and stops, and give the right of way to other motorists when needed.  Be aware of other motorists around you on the road, and remember that even though you are riding in a large group you still need to watch out for yourself and other bikes around you.
 
The safest and most efficient group riding method is the staggered formation.  When a group is riding in a staggered formation, it takes up less space on the highway than a single file line, is easier for other motorists to see, and is less likely to be separated by other traffic. 
 
The staggered formation is the best way to keep ranks close and still maintain an adequate space cushion in front of, and behind, each rider.  A space cushion gives each rider plenty of room to maneuver and still maintain the riding formation. 
 
The Ride Leader will usually ride in the left third of the lane, while the next bike stays at least one second behind and rides in the right third of the lane.  The rest of the group follows this staggered pattern, so that every bike is at least two seconds behind the bike directly ahead.
 
Trikes and sidecars should ride in the center of the lane, at least two seconds behind the bike ahead.  Riders following a trike or sidecar should allow additional space cushion because three-wheeled vehicles may slow down dramatically before entering sharp corners.
 
A rider who wishes to change lanes or change position within a lane should first signal that intention, both by turn signal and by hand signal.  Then, after a mirror check and a head check to make sure it is safe, the rider can make the change.  Remember to maintain a good space cushion at all times.
 
It is illegal and dangerous to pass another bike in the same lane, unless that other rider has signaled you to proceed.  To fill a gap in the staggered formation, the next rider behind the gap should change position to the opposite side of the lane, and then ride forward to fill the gap.  Following riders should then each change lane positions and ride forward to reestablish the staggered formation.
 
Enter the freeway in single file, and be aware of vehicles coming up in the slow lane behind you as you merge.  Allow vehicles in that lane the right-of-way: you are merging into their lane.  As soon as it is safe, reestablish the staggered formation.
 
When traveling on the freeway, be aware and cautious of other vehicles entering the road or exiting by merging through the convoy of bikes.  Give the other motorists room to merge in safely; don’t try to cut them off just so you can keep up with the bikes in front of you.  Usually, other motorists will quickly get out of the middle of a long procession of bikes if you allow them the opportunity.

Thursday, January 26, 2006

M.A.P. Roadside Campaign details

The Roadside Campaign will consist of the large commercial billboards and small signs like are currently used in the state of Washington to memorialize drunk driver fatalities.
We at M.A.P. envision billboards to draw the attention of the motoring public to the fact that the highways and byways are populated with motorcyclists who are not always easy to see, but are worth the effort to try to see.

It is a proven fact that when someone is not thinking of something they will not be looking for it and therefore will not see it.  The billboards will generate an awareness of motorcyclists in the minds of an untold number of motorists.  With motorists thinking of motorcycles, we will have a far greater chance of being seen.  Wouldn’t it be great if we were no longer invisible?
We are considering a variety of ideas for the billboards, but we probably will start with something simple and to the point.
For openers we plan to have an image of a motorcycle and rider approaching almost head on with the copy saying Watch For Us.
That’s all for billboards now, more later.

The next item we want to mention is our road signs that will memorialize motorcycle fatalities due to the negligence of a driver of an automobile.  An example of this is the already existing signs that memorialize fatalities due to a drunk driver.

This is just a quick synopsis of our “Roadside Campaign.” How quick this begins to happen is contingent upon grants and donations.

There is no doubt in our minds that we have to do everything in our power create a good image, and a lasting image, of the motorcyclist in the minds of every automobile driver.  We also must promote better driving habits by all on the roads, and attempt to address the huge problem of the anger issue.  This is but one approach.  Wish us well.