I began riding in 1959 while in the Air Force serving in central France. Within three and a half months I had broken bones in my right foot and a few days later was invited to have a nice little "chit-chat" with my squadron commander, a Martin B-26 Marauder pilot in World War II. He thought motorcycle riding was a very dangerous activity. At the end of my visit he reassigned me to Motor Vehicle Accident Investigations with the parting words, "Young man, you need to see some dead bodies."
I eventually exchanged the bike for an airplane and flew CAP search and rescue in the Sierra Nevada mountains for about eight years, then back to motorcycles. In 2010 I joined the Legion Riders out of Auburn, Calif., then transferred to Haines City, Fla. The Riders are the best people I know!
For the old guys: Do you remember back in the days when Commanders Call was opened by a PRAYER from the Chaplain, followed by the 1st Sergeant who spoke of "The Dynamics Of Moral Leadership"? Those days are gone forever!
Stay Verticle!

Tom Mason, Director, ALR34u
Post 34, Haines City, Fla.