Fear breeds Hatred and Perpetuates Violence

As I read the comments on my Facebook statement where I ask for courage, strength and love to prevail, comments that are spawned from hatred and fear, I am afraid for this beautiful country that I love with all my heart.  

As a female of Irish, Scottish, Polish, English and French decent I want to remind very Canadian that our forefathers all came from somewhere else.  

As I look back at the history of my family, I realize that some fled the potato famines, some fled persecution and all came here looking for opportunity and a better life, I am sure you can look at your family's past and see similar things. 

Even our First Nations people came from somewhere else before they settled in Canada. Our First Nations peoples have inhabited this country for some 10,000 years. 

I ask you to look at the beginnings of this country we call Canada….. First Nations people were slaughtered, and treated horribly by those who came here seeking a better life, not by all, but by some.  And see the divisions, the misunderstandings, the hurt and yes hatred this has caused for many.

I believe that we need to continue to strive to be better people than our forefathers were.

Did we learn nothing from our past?  Is history always going to repeat itself?

I believe with all my heart that our government needs look after those who already live here much better than they do.  I believe we need stronger immigration policies that help us weed out the bad apples BEFORE they arrive here. I believe that we need to look after our veterans, soldiers and their families better than we do. We need to hold our politicians and bureaucrats accountable far better than we do.  

I believe ALL OF THAT – HOWEVER…I have some questions to ask of those who are overcome by fear and hatred….

If I said that all Irish Protestants are violent because of the actions of the IRA or some members of the Orange party in Toronto between 1867 and 1892, would I be right?  My great grandmother’s family was Irish Protestant ; none of them was party to any of that, as far as our family history allows us to know.

If I said that all Canadian Frenchmen are divisive and ignorant because of the politics of men like Gilles Duceppe would I be right? My uncles and aunts that I just came home from visiting are for the most part, pretty open minded Frenchmen.  They accept this English speaking westerner and between my broken French and their broken English we get along quite well.

If I said that all Polish people were members of organized crime because of the conduct of those who were members of the Pruszków mafia would I be right?  My great grandma’s family on my dad’s side was Polish, but in none of their history can I find any reference to them being party to organized crime.

If I said that all Protestant Scotsmen were gang members and criminals because of the conduct of members of the Billy Boys of Brigton Cross, a  Scottish Protestant gang, would I be right?  Far as I know my great grandfather and grandfather, Scottish Protestants, were farmers, loggers, but no where in their history can I find a connection to the gangs that divided Scotland in the 1920’s and 30’s.

If I said that all Cops are drunks and murderers because of the actions of people like Monte Robinson would I be right?  My uncle Serge was a cop for over 35 years; he was and is a moral man, the same with my adopted uncle, Rick.

If I said that all priests were pedophiles because of the conduct of Father Eric Dejaeger, would I be right?  My great uncle Armand Plourd was a priest.  As far as I know he never molested anyone and was in fact a good man.

If I said that all Grey Friars were child molesters and pedophiles because of the conduct of Brother Stephen Baker would I be right?

My uncle Christopher was a Grey Friar, and as far as I know, he was not a child molester.

If I said all who ride motorcycles are criminal in nature because of the actions of some members of some clubs, would I be right?  I ride a motorcycle; I do not view myself as a criminal. 

You see if I bought into any of the above statements, my entire family, from every nationality, every walk of life would have to be condemned as “BAD”; myself included. 

We can’t say all Italians are mobsters or all Germans are Nazis.

We can’t say that all Muslims are extremists and murderers.

Generalizations, profiling cause a lot of harm to those who do not fit the generalization or profile. We as riders fight it all the time.

What we CAN SAY is that we, the human race, are composed of people who commit acts of kindness and acts of brutality.  We CAN SAY that there are good people and bad people in every walk of society, all around the world.

Organizations like Isis, Boko Haram, Al Qaeda etc. win when we let fear take over. When we profile, the cowards & bullies win. When we generalize, the cowards & bullies win.

When we use generalizations to describe any group of people we do a disservice to all people including ourselves.

You see they, ISIS et al, want the moderate Muslim to turn to them when we “Westerners” start targeting the moderate Muslim as if they were the same as the offenders.  Through our hatred and fear, violence perpetuates and we will add to their numbers until they become powerful.

Again I will state: I believe with all my heart that our government needs look after those who already live here much better than they do.  

I believe we need stronger immigration policies that help us weed out the bad apples BEFORE they arrive here. 

I believe that we need to look after our veterans, soldiers and their families better than we do. 

We need to hold our politicians and bureaucrats accountable far better than we do.  

I am not saying open our doors wide to all, I am saying open our doors after a thorough screening, do everything possible to protect our country and its values but don't close the door on all because some are assholes.  If we closed doors to all because we are afraid of a few, I wonder how many Germans, Poles, Jews, Irish, Scottish, French and English people would live in this melting pot we call Canada.

We need to remember that above all, be you black, red, white or purple, be you Christian, Jew, Muslim, Protestant or Catholic – we are all people first and to generalize, to profile is wrong. 

We riders know that better than most.

WE NEED:

Courage - we need to have courage, to exhibit courage.

One definition of courage is: "strength in the face of pain or grief."  Another is
"the choice and willingness to confront agony, pain, danger, uncertainty or intimidation."

Tolerance - we need to have tolerance, to exhibit tolerance.

One definition of tolerance is; the ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behaviour that one does not necessarily agree with.

Caution - we need to be cautious, to be protective.

One definition of caution is: care taken to avoid danger or mistakes.

A wise man once said:

When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it-always. Mahatma Gandhi

He also said: An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.

That's how I see things, what say you?

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider 


All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The Belt Drive Betty Blog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site & will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

The "Wailing Wall" A Book Review

The "Wailing Wall" by Deedra Climer is an examination of one woman's life and all of its turbulence.

Deedra Climer is a woman like so many others.

She lived a life that brought her to emotional places, dark emotional places.

Raw and poignant this short, 89 page book is anything but a light read. From the first page, she sucks you into her life.

Raised by a single teenage mother who suffered a brain injury after a car crash when she was only 1 year old, Deedra lived in a drug addled and neglectful environment.

Physical love was a substitution for the emotional love she was denied as a child. As she put it "There was always someone who wanted me, at least for a little while."

Although she herself repeats the cycle and becomes a teenaged mother, she was determined to become a different parent from her mother.

Having a child out of wedlock in Memphis Tennessee in the mid 60's, the young Deedra was ill prepared her for how hard it would be raising a Mullato baby girl named Kimberly with a hearing impairment.

Her brief marriage to an illegal Mexican immigrant produced a son named Joshua, and an abusive relationship with a man named Ramon produces another girl, Claudia.

Finally she finds a loving relationship, marries and moves to Michigan. Things start looking brighter, but life has another body blow or two waiting for this woman. When her son Joshua dies in a motorcycle crash, she is forced to go back to Memphis and it is there that she relieves her life in her mind's eye.

Loosing her son at the tender age of 23, she takes you through the wild ride that is the grieving and self examination process.

Deedra Climer, tells her life story in painful detail that pulls you in.
She makes you feel it all, the raw pain, the fierce love and pride, the extreme anger, confusion and feelings of being inept and conflicted. The "Wailing Wall" is a life's story worth reading for if nothing else, you discover your own empathy.

Wailing Wall: A Mother's Memoir by Deedra Climer  is published through Inkshares

The Veterans MC and Remembrance Day

Before I share with you the information regarding conversations with Inge Kruse of the BC/Yukon Command of the Royal Canadian Legion and the journalist who wrote about the situation in Ladysmith BC, I want to discuss the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The Charter of Rights and Freedoms - A Double Edged Sword
(Get a beverage, cause this is along winded one, basically two articles in one!)

Under the Charter, we all have:

a) freedom of conscience and religion;

(b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;

(c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and

(d) freedom of association.

I am a firm believer that our veterans fought to protect these fundamental freedoms and that if we take them away for some, then we all risk loosing them.

Many believe that some members of the Veterans MC conduct themselves in such a way as to allow or create a perception that they are 1%ers and not just a traditional outlaw club.
Even if it is true that some of these members are less than forthright about their conduct and beliefs, their conduct of today does not negate that they are veterans and have served their country.

Just because I have taken the stance that the Veterans MC has the right to attend Remembrance Day services, to march and lay a wreath in their cut, does not mean I condone illegal conduct, if there is any.

On the contrary.  

What it means is that I believe the Charter of Rights and Freedoms applies to everyone.  
If we attempt to strip them of their rights based on belief and not fact, then we are no better than the countries of the world who suppress their peoples.

If the RCMP and other police services do their jobs properly and gather the proof that these men are not who they say they are, if the courts convict the offenders, and the offenders serve time and pay their debt to society, great. This becomes a non issue.  While in jail, they have most of their rights and freedoms stripped from them, but when they get out, they are once again citizens and the Charter applies to them again.

I do not like the way a lot of people dress these days, but, under the charter, they have the right to dress the way they want. I do not agree with various religions, but again, under the charter people are allowed their choice on religious belief and affiliation.

What you like and don't like has very little to do with the essence of the fundamental rights & freedoms in our country.

We live and let live. It's what our soldiers have fought to preserve for all of us.

You can't preach/scream charter rights & freedoms and then exclude someone because you don't like them or their ideologies, unless their ideologies go against the charter.

The members of the Veterans MC are citizens of Canada and veterans who served this country.
No matter what else they have done or are, no one can take away their rights to freedom of association, freedom of peaceful assembly.
It's illegal to do so and to do so would be a crime against all citizens of this country.

The good news is, with great freedoms and rights comes great responsibility and consequence.

The offending members, if there are any, will eventually be caught for their offences, tried and convicted and they will pay the price for the way they chose to exercise their freedoms.

And no organization anywhere in the world, is comprised of ALL good people.
In every walk of life, in every organization, you will find those who break laws, do criminal things.
Let me remind you that the RCMP has had its fair share of "bad apples", but we don't go around condemning every cop as a result.
In case you need some reminding of the misdeeds of some police officers visit this page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_controversies_involving_the_Royal_Canadian_Mounted_Police
or this one: http://thenonconformer.wordpress.com/2010/10/25/canadas-bad-police-officers/

We need to remember that in a court of law, the individual who commits the crime does his own time.

The whole police force did not go to jail for the crime of Const. Desmond Sandbox who admitted to beating a prisoner in a cell at the Lac La Biche detachment on Sept. 13, 2009.

It is NOT our job to decide if the members of the Veterans MC are who they say they are.

It is our job to decide if we want to associate with them or not, if their values align with ours or not, and nothing more.

What we must not do is allow anyone to take away their Charter Rights & Freedoms, for if we do, we risk loosing them for ourselves.

Now, on to the topic for today...

Who is telling the truth, will we ever really know, and does it even matter?

Yesterday, late in the day, I finally got a chance to speak to Inge Kruse, the executive director of the BC/Yukon Command of the Royal Canadian Legion.

In my conversation with Ms. Kruse, she says that she was "misquoted and that one statement was not hers at all. She, however did not want to take the writer on, she said she wanted to focus on the veterans and Remembrance Day." 

She expressed that "this experience has taught her a lot about the motorcycle world." She says she has spoken to members of the Veterans MC and has expressed that the Legion has NO DRESS Code when it comes to who marches or lays wreaths and all branches have been provided with the same information:

This is the official statement from the BC/Yukon Command of the RCL:

BC/Yukon Command does not have a policy regarding who may or may not attend Remembrance Day Ceremonies. The Legion strives to be a welcoming environment for all - particularly Veterans whether young or old. In that spirit, we encourage and welcome all Canadians – regardless of affiliation - to attend a ceremony in their local communities this Nov. 11th, and we hope to see Veterans and active duty service people of all ages marching to honour our fallen. What one chooses to wear while paying tribute to those that served our country is a personal choice, and the Legion takes no stance on this issue, and we apologize for any confusion.
We would also like to point out that BC/Yukon Command has invested heavily in programs to help a new generation of Veterans. These programs include the Veterans Transition Program which helps those suffering from PTSD, Cockrell House which provides shelter to homeless Veterans, and the BCIT Military Skills Conversion Program which helps advance the civilian careers of former and current Canadian Forces personnel.
- BC Yukon Command of the Royal Canadian Legion

Here are the comments attributed to Inge Kruse in BCLocal and the Nanaimo Daily News: 
(To read the article for yourself please visit: http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/341906341.html)


"Branch president Gary Phillips won’t comment publicly but Inga Kruse, B.C./Yukon Command executive director, said Veterans MC members are “more than welcome to participate, it’s just inappropriate that they wear motorcycle patches.”
She said the issue is one of respect.

“Let’s say you’re part of a Lions Club and you were your Lions Club uniform with medals — it’s frankly a bit tacky,” Kruse said. “It’s not that veterans can’t march, that’s ridiculous. It’s that there’s a lot of baggage that goes with motorcycle patches, especially when they are the one-per cent patch.”

The reference is to the patches of outlaw clubs. Asked if the Veterans MC is an outlaw club, Kruse said “I don’t know everything about those guys. All I know is my branch has asked them to take off their patches and their vests.”

A message on the Veterans MC club website says: “We are not a 1% club, nor do we have the intention of becoming one.”

Veterans MC club members planned to wear their colours to Chemainus if Ladysmith blocked them, but Kruse said Legion Command has send the same message to every branch.

“This is the stand of the branches and the RCMP,” Kruse said. “When the RCMP make advice, we’re not going to just shake it off.”

I wanted to get to the bottom of the comments that were attributed to her in the BCLocal, Nanaimo Daily papers.  I reached out to the reporter who wrote those articles, Darrell Bellaart, because without his comments regarding his integrity as a journalist this article would incomplete. 

He refused to speak with me as he did not want to become a part of the story. He wanted to retain his neutrality. He did however make this statement: "As I've stated elsewhere, everything I directly attributed to her, she said. Period. Anything within quotes is a direct quote. Word for word."

According to the above referenced article written by Mr. Bellaart, Staff Sgt. Ken Brissard, stated that he met with the Legion Wednesday about the upcoming parade and “they were not asked to exclude anyone.”


I have reached out to the Staff Sgt. Ken Brissard who is a very thoughtful and eloquent man and he unequivocally requests that, "All Canadian citizens come out and take part in Remembrance Day services."

So, what is the truth? Who started this mudslinging fest that hurts the Royal Canadian Legion, our veterans, the motorcycle community and the citizenry of this country at large?

We'll never know, not with any certainty.

And in the grand scheme of things does it even matter?  What matters is things have changed for the better.


Tomorrow is Remembrance Day.  

Please go to a cenotaph near you, wear what makes you feel proud, thank a Veteran for the freedoms and rights you have, and be grateful that there have been and continue to be those who are willing to put their lives on the line to defend our rights and freedoms.

At the 11th hour, of the 11th day of the 11th month, We Will Remember Them.
(Armistice Day, November 11, 1918 the day WWI ended.)

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Disclaimer:


All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The Belt Drive Betty Blog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site & will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

A Burning Question About Service to One's Country

The controversy over the Veterans MC and their alleged ties to 1% clubs has caused some heated debate.

So much so, I have a question to ask you....

If a man or woman served their country, they did 1 tour or many tours and was honourably discharged but became a criminal because of his/her behaviour after the fact, does it nullify his/her service?

I feel very conflicted - I am passionate about our charter rights, I am passionate about our veterans, our soldiers and believe they deserve to be treated with dignity.

And yet, there are those who after they have gotten out of the service for whatever reason, PTSD that caused addiction issues, violence, homelessness because of mental health issues etc., have gone on to commit crimes....maybe they became adrenaline junkies and couldn't settle into the relative quiet of civilian life and they went down a wrong path as a result, does that mean their service meant nothing and that they should be discriminated against and what if they have paid their debt to society for their wrong acts? Should they not be allowed to feel pride over having served? Should they still be shunned?

I ask because I am conflicted.....deeply and truly convicted for all though I can see the other side of the coin, part of me says you can't take away the good that they did any more than you can take away the bad....

My personal belief is that if you served this country, that for 1 day of the year, Remembrance Day a day to remember those who have fallen (and because there is no Veteran's Day to celebrate the service and sacrifice of those who did not die in battle), you deserve some measure of respect for that one good thing regardless where life's circumstances took you afterwards.

Am I wrong?

I'd love to know.

Belt Drive Betty 

Editor & Rider

Disclaimer:

All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The Belt Drive Betty Blog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site & will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

Another Remembrance Day - Another Controversy

It seems that every year, some motorcycle organization is singled out by the RCMP, OPP or other municipal police services and/or the Liquor Boards in the various provinces, as undesirable and undeserving of the right to march in and attend Remembrance Day services/parades or attend Legions in their riding regalia.

The Veterans MC on Vancouver Island has been locked in a battle with the local Legion, Branch 171 in Ladysmith BC.

Click this link to read the Nanaimo Daily article...

This is a battle undoubtably caused by the RCMP.  Read further and you'll understand why I say that.

Because this club, the Veterans MC, wears a 3 piece patch, they are being discriminated against.
And yet....Every member of the club HAS SERVED THIS COUNTRY by donning a Canadian Forces Uniform, and is an honest to GOD veteran.

We saw it in Cumberland at the Motorcycle RoundUp, the club was singled out by the Liquor Board & the RCMP as one of 7 clubs who were not supposed to wear their colours into licensed establishments.

In Ontario, we have heard of members of various RC's and MC's being asked to leave the Orangeville Legion because of their patches - some like C.A.V. wearing simple one piece patch, because the Legion didn't know who was who or what was what, regarding patches.

We saw it in Medicine Hat with the Falcon's MC and their poker run a few years back.

Because the police forces concern is that this MC is going to be absorbed by or is somehow already working with 1% clubs, they are being told they can't participate in Remembrance Day services.

The "request" however, never comes directly from the RCMP - OH NO....

The RCMP bring pressure to bear on those who control the establishment or function, in this case the RCL branch president.

You see the police feel that because most MC's follow COC protocol and go to the dominant club with their mission statement and their proposed patch to ensure the dominant club approves their patch and to show that their club as not interfering with any of the 1% clubs, that somehow that approval process means they are now in bed with or tied to the 1% club.

Clubs that have police officers as part of their membership are not allowed to attend COC meetings nor do they meet COC "guidelines" and therefore seldom go to the dominant to "ask for permission" to fly their colours.

It is considered a sign of respect, to let the dominant club know who you are and what your intentions are, if you intend to sport a 3 piece patch.  The dominant club either believes you or they don't. They either deem that your patch does not conflict or misrepresent who you say you are or it does in their eyes.

If you are "allowed" to wear your cut/colours that does NOT mean you are a 1% club, it means you are an MC that does not grate against the Confederation of Clubs and their protocols.

If you don't go to the dominant club to introduce your club, then in the eyes of the COC clubs, that means you allow police officers among your ranks and you are not a real MC in their eyes.
This aspect of the COC protocols creates a lot of discord/disagreement in the motorcycle community.

Of course the club that allows police officers in it, generally have a police officer who is a member who can smooth out the path so to speak, regarding the law and their ideas on special attention.

In the case of the Veterans MC, unlike many Veterans Clubs, they hold true to the core principle that you are not a veteran unless you have worn a MILITARY UNIFORM.
Unless you have worn the Canadian Forces Uniform and have been prepared for battle via basic training etc. you are not a veteran. Remember WWI, WWII, Korea, Afghanistan etc., were wars fought by soldiers not police officers. No one is discounting the fact that the RCMP serve their country, but they are not veterans who have been prepared to go to war and that is the mindset of the members of the Veterans MC.

Being an RCMP officer does NOT MAKE YOU A VETERAN in their eyes and so they do not allow police officers in their membership and therefore, they are fair game for special attention in the eyes of the police.

They (The RCMP) deem that to be the case with the Veterans MC because two their members have gone over to a 1% club. And yet, the rationale is not totally valid.  2 members left their club to go join a 1% club.  These veterans who went to a different kind of three piece patch club decided the "rigours" of being part of the Veterans MC no longer served them. They wanted to be a part of something different.  You don't see the entire membership moving over, being absorbed, patched over.  Two members....however.....

Here's where things get really muddy....

They left their club in good standing and while they will probably never be able to wear the Veterans MC colours again, they are still brothers at arms - they served in the Canadian Forces with the guys who make up the Veterans MC. So the Veterans MC gets invited to parties, events or the homes of these men who are now 1% MC members.

That's where the RCMP feel they are justified in connecting the dots if you will.  Although they no longer ride together as a club, the Veterans MC and the 2 members who moved to a 1% club are still friends, they were friends and comrades before they were MC members, but it's that very friendship the police look upon as suspicious.

At least that is how it was explained to me by a gang task force officer last year at the Vancouver Motorcycle Show.

The thing that truly makes this a sad situation is that the Veterans MC have donated substantial monies to the Ladysmith Branch of the Legion and now they feel abused and betrayed.

I called the RCL Branch 171 and asked to speak to their president, Gary Phillips, but as of this moment in time, he has not contacted me so that I could understand and pass on the specifics of this situation to you.

I do however already know in my gut how this played out.

I have heard it enough times...I have EXPERIENCED IT MYSELF, back when I used to host motorcycle shows.

Police officer tells the event coordinator, in this case, the Legion president that if they allow the Veterans MC in the Legion or to be a part of the ceremonies, they, the RCMP will pull out.
They also mention liquor licenses and how they can be affected by non compliance. They tell the Legion they are protected by the petty trespass act, and they, the RCMP will come and ask the "offensive" people to leave when they get the call.

The Legion becomes scared by the perceived intimidation, they cave in and do not defend the very veterans they are sworn to serve, they go against the Charter of Freedoms and Rights, they deny these people the right to be involved in a public ceremony on public land, they deny them access to a private club meant to serve military veterans and members and the veterans become hurt, indignant and angry.

Public opinion goes badly against the Legion because the citizens of the region do not understand the bullying tactics used on the Legion, the Legion decides that the RCMP are wrong minded in their "requests", the RCMP have no legal leg to stand on and so, the Legion reverses it's decision AFTER the damage is done.

OR, the Legion out of fear, stands firm because they would be embarrassed if the RCMP did not attend the service.

That's what has transpired, time and time again all across this country. Some Legions stand firm with the RCMP, usually out of fear of reprisal OR they stick to the Charter of Freedoms & Rights and protect the rights & freedoms of those they have vowed to serve.

Sadly too often, ill feelings become entrenched and their is a lot of anger on all sides of the equation.

In this case, the RCL Branch 171 in Ladysmith BC, has apparently, although not publicly, overturned their initial decision and have decided to allow the Veterans MC to attend.

Their decision is too late though, as the Veterans MC has decided to go to another Legion, the one in Chemainus and have vowed to not support the Ladysmith Branch.

In my personal humble opinion, there needs to be a full push to have motorcyclists recognized as a visible minority, because we are. We are very distinguishable from other motorists, other persons and we are a true minority, our community is only 700K+ strong. (Washington State was successful in having motorcyclists recognized as a visible minority).

My rights as a citizen, taxpayer and rider have been trodden on several times by the RCMP with regards to hosting events and banning patches. I lost almost a 1/4 million dollars standing my ground against them. They damned near broke me financially by blocking entrances to my show in Olds and it took me years to recover.

The RCMP will cripple you, financially and every other way they can so that they can get their way.
They do not care that what they are doing is not only immoral but bordering illegal.  It is profiling and at the very least it is subversive. They are in a battle with the 1% Clubs and sadly think that everyone who wears a patch, 3 piece or not is a 1%er unless there happens to be a police officer as a member, then the treatment tends to be different. Not always, but most times.

And so we find ourselves in this position time after time after time.

There are no rights and freedoms in this country as it pertains to motorcyclists, but somewhere there must be lawyers who will challenge the charter and people willing to force the point. Money and desire being the two strengths that are needed to get something like this done.

That's how I see this situation, what say you?

I'd dearly love your feedback on this topic.


To express your feelings to the RCL on how this situation has unfolded please contact:
Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 171
Gary Philips - President
621 First Ave, Ladysmith, BC
Phone:(250) 245-2273

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Belt Drive Betty 

Editor & Rider

Disclaimer:

All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The Belt Drive Betty Blog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site & will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

The 3 C.A.V. Gathering - Abbotsford BC

At the Afghanistan Memorial at the Derek Doubleday Arboretum    

This past August I had the absolute honour and privilege of riding with members of 3 C.A.V. the Motorcycle Riding Club that I have been an honorary member of for 11.5 years of the 12 they have been in operation.

This was the first time I had gotten to attend The 3 C.A.V. Gathering.

I felt like a school kid! Riding with the C.A.V., no matter what province I have been to or what unit or units I ride with, is probably the SAFEST and most joyous group riding I have ever taken part in.
I WAS SOOOO looking forward to this event.

Earle "Grizzly" Eastman (L) making a presentation to
ROME Unit President Barry "Brutus" Drews (R)

On Thursday morning I was up and out of my girlfriend's place in Salmon Arm and off to Kelowna bright and early.

I stopped in at Konquer  Custom Motorcycles and they squeezed me in for a quick oil change.
The service there is always awesome!

They got me in and out within an hour and I made it to the Tim Horton's on Old Vernon Road in plenty of time for our scheduled meet up.

It felt like old home week, all of the hugs and smiles, well, you know how it is amongst friends both old and new!

After our ride captains gave us a quick briefing on the roads we would be riding and the stops for fuel we would be making, we were off under sunny skies.  By the time we stopped in Merritt however, we had been riding in the rain for about a half hour. Nothing serious, spitting on and off with intermittent showers, damp but not horrible.  At the gas station we joked about Trapper riding with us in spirit. Trapper, the Founding President of C.A.V. is notoriously known as the rain magnet by many of us.

Traffic at the top of the Coquihalla was at a standstill as three lanes of traffic merged into one. There was construction between two bridges up ahead and that construction zone was over 15 kms long, all up hill, and the rain began to fall and then it became a torrential downfall.

Two and a half hours of stop and start riding, standing in three inches of rain in the truck ruts with
nowhere to go, how much fun was that!?!

As we finally got back to riding, we were in the slow lane for a good portion of the way as we simply couldn't see where we were going, we were riding in the clouds, and the driving rain with our glasses and goggles getting fogged up. It was a scary arsed ride to say the least! Oh and those lovely automobile drivers that were out that day were so terribly considerate, they must not have thought we were getting wet enough as they kindly splashed us as they went by.

As my group pulled into Hope, we came on to the on ramp only to see a bike on its side. It was one of our guys, but it turns out his bike had rolled off the kickstand. Whew!

With a bad crash on the edge of Hope, making it so no one could leave town towards Abbotsford, we decided to stop at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #228.

We were welcomed with open arms! Our

Lou & Chuck - in the dart throw at the rodeo games!

dripping wet clothes were stripped off and thrown in the dryer and towels were handed out to those in need.

Hot coffees and beverages all around, pizzas ordered in and stories and tales of other hard rides abounded.

I called Cindy Koszegi of Hope Optical and asked if she had a place for some of us to stay for the night, turns out I was the only one to stay behind. Once the highway reopened the other 17 riders, some with passengers headed out to their hotels. My health has been rather precarious all summer so I elected to ride out in the morning.  I am so glad I did!  Not only did I get an awesome visit in with Rudy and Cindy, but I had a good sleep and dry clothes to start the day off in.

As luck would have it, I never got rained on again the rest of the weekend.

As I rode into the gathering spot, the farm of a Silver Cross family, I had a grin on my face.
I parked and it was hugs and laughs all around.

"Bubbles" roasts a wicked pig.

I got to finally meet people like Barry "Brutus" Drews, the president of the unit hosting the gathering, ROME Unit, and Cynthia "Lou" Starchuk, president of Groningen's Unit out of Saskatoon, Allan "Sensei" Plett President, Agira Unit.  I met all sorts of new friends and hugged so many old ones!

Some were missed though, my brothers from Regina in particular couldn't make it.

With the registration kit I was given, was a toque and a beverage ticket and some raffle tickets for door prizes along with an itinerary.

I grabbed some breakfast and read up on what to expect.

After all of the presidents and the national reps got done their meeting, we saddled up and headed to the Afghanistan Memorial at the Derek Doubleday Arboretum in Langley Township.

 The memorial is beautiful and even though the trees that line the entry aren't mature, one can envision what they will look like when they are.

It was a touching time as various unit presidents and National reps made small speeches, it was impressive to watch the units fall into line when the "Drill Sergeant" hollered. It was moving watch Grizz and Maddog lay a wreath and it was wonderful to take the group photos and see all of those wonderful smiling faces.

Once we arrived back at the farm, lunch was served, cold cuts and salads, fruit and coffee all courtesy of the amazing volunteers whose smiles just made a person's day.

The rodeo games had everyone hooting and hollerin and laughing like school kids. It's so awesome to see that, too many of our veterans and serving soldiers and first responders have had the joy sucked right out of their lives, but not on this day.

Soon it was time for "Bubble's" famous Honey Jack marinated pig. OHHH MYYYY, was that good.
Served with salads and potatoes, beans and beverages, the meal was absolute perfection.

After the pig roast came the presentations and they were many. A silver cross family was brought into the C.A.V. family, another silver cross family was honored and thanked for the use of their property.  Members of C.A.V. received various honors and we got to hear from the new
National President, Earle "Grizzly" Eastman.

I was starting to feel unwell. It really was too soon after being in hospital and all of those tests to be going on a hard ride like this one from Grande Prairie Alberta to Abbotsford BC turned out to be.

I said my goodbyes before the bands started up and headed off to my friend's home for a good night's sleep. I proceeded to sleep off and on for the next three days, hence I never made it to the farewell breakfast! Some company I was!

I am so grateful to have gotten some time with these amazing people.
If you are military, former military, first responder or just a civilian who wants to support the same causes and ideals that C.A.V. has, go check them out at www.thecav.ca

To see more photos from the 3 C.A.V. Gathering visit: https://plus.google.com/+BeltDriveBettyMC/posts/jH3xGhZ23Kj

Until next time, ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you.

Don't forget - Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest is looking for you to nominate your community - it's EASY to do!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Disclaimer:

All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The Belt Drive Betty Blog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site & will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

Motorcycling in Canada - A Ride Through our History - Part 9

Honda in Canada

The Honda Motor Corporation Ltd. based in Japan, was founded in 1946 by Soichiro Honda.

In the field of motorcycle manufacturing, it is the largest public multinational corporation in the world. Since 1959 it has held the top position in the manufacturing of motorcycles and internal combustion engines.

In 1946, Japan was trying to rebuild from the effects of the Second World War.

Honda, a talented mechanic began manufacturing piston rings before turning his attention to motorcycles. He had realized that there was a need for an affordable means of transportation and began grafting war surplus two stroke motors into bicycles. The initial shaky start due to his lack of training in metallurgy in the production of piston rings gave way to his passion for engineering.

The first motorcycle that featured a completely Honda designed motor and frame was produced in 1949. By the 1960’s his motorcycles were up against the best on the racetracks of the world.   

Figure 1 - Honda's 1st Prototype

Figure 2 - Honda's First Motorcycle, 1949, Model D

Honda ventured into the Canadian history books in 1969. With hard work and perseverance they slowly gained the trust of Canadians. Over a period of time Honda gained respect in the marketplace as well. In 1986, Honda built a car manufacturing facility in Alliston, Ontario. In 1998 a second plant was built at the same site and in 2008 Honda completed its third manufacturing facility. On May 2010, Honda Canada moved to their new Gold Certified Leed (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Head Office in Markham, Ontario which is now home to approximately 600 associates. Today Honda employs almost 19,000 Canadians and buys goods worth 1.1 billion from Canadian suppliers!


Honda has turned its vision towards providing a sustainable growth for the future. Blue Skies for Our Children embodies the vision of keeping the environment in mind for the future generations so that they might find the joy of free mobility along with sustained development. The challenge of sustained development encompasses numerous energy and environmental issues. The most important amongst them has been the reduction of greenhouse gases that lead to global warming. In June 2011, Honda pledged to reduce CO2 emissions from automobiles, motorcycles and corporate activities by 30% by 2020. There have been significant advances towards achieving this end. These technologies include natural gas vehicles, hybrids, fuel cell electric along with new energy creation and distribution technologies like Honda’s original solar cell.

A socially responsible and engaged corporation, Honda Canada started the Honda Canada Foundation to enhance the social well being of Canadians. The focus of the foundation is to provide grants in the areas of education, engineering, the environment and safety with a focus on youth.

Even back in the beginning of its emergence in the UA and Canadian cultures, Honda showed its social responsibility in other ways. They had a rider’s manual that explained the operation of their motorcycle and asked people to be socially respectful.

Image 3 - 1962 Honda Owners Manual

One of the most successful marketing campaigns in history started in the US. Honda had suffered a number of recalls, and the owner of the first Honda store in California, Kihachiro Kawashima, had to take back every bike he had sold. He had a bunch of 50cc scooters in the back of the shop and decided to get them out on the sales floor. 

His ad campaign “You meet the nicest people on a Honda” saved the American market and paved the way for the Canadian market to have a successful launch. 

Image 4 - Honda's Ad campaign in the 60's

Although Honda has a varied stable of machines, the CBR and the Goldwing, two very different machines, are probably the best known of all of Honda's motorcycles.

The CBR is dubbed by Honda as the ultimate handling machine and many a CBR rider will tell you that is so, however GSXR riders will tell you something quite different!

Today, Honda Canada plays a big roll in all manners of racing and their motorcycles are well respected for their reliability, their socially responsible exhaust systems, their power and fuel economy.

I hope you enjoyed the brief look into Honda Canada, next up we look at Kawasaki, Yamaha and Suzuki!
 

Research for this article:

Wikipedia

Honda Canada

Honda Canada Foundation

Petrolicious Productions

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/history-honda-motorcycle.html

http://www.obxmotorcycle.com/hondacyclehistory.html

Images:

https://www.google.co.in/search?q=Honda%27s+first+prototype+motorcycle..&espv=2&biw=1280&bih=847&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMI4cWP56jpxwIV0o-OCh26ggfV&dpr=0.9#imgrc=qJCF2ObJ8oA4AM%3A – image  1 of 1^st prototype motorcycle

https://www.google.co.in/search?q=Honda%27s+first+motorcycle,+a+1949+Model+D+(Dream)&espv=2&biw=1280&bih=798&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIisjVkazpxwIVzlCOCh1PGw4F&dpr=0.9#imgrc=U851AG23OxVxbM%3A – 

image 2- a 1949 Model D (Dream)

Image 3 - 1962 Honda Owners Manual

http://www.petrolicious.com - Image 4

Disclaimer:

All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The Belt Drive Betty Blog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site & will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.