WWII 1940's era dinner, dance & costume party!
Visit our FB event page
https://www.facebook.com/events/1353278484795791/
- Belt Drive Betty
Showing posts with label Royal Canadian Legion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Royal Canadian Legion. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Veterans Memorial Gardens & Interpretive Centre Spring Fling fundraiser is March 21, 2020
SAVE THE DATE! March 21, 2020 - Our Spring Fling fundraiser for Veterans Memorial Gardens & Interpretive Centre is being held at the Royal Canadian Legion #54, come dressed in clothes from the era.
WWII 1940's era dinner, dance & costume party!
Visit our FB event page
https://www.facebook.com/events/1353278484795791/
- Belt Drive Betty
WWII 1940's era dinner, dance & costume party!
Visit our FB event page
https://www.facebook.com/events/1353278484795791/
- Belt Drive Betty
Tuesday, October 09, 2018
Meet in Marathon for Wish of A Lifetime
In 2005 Wayne Brand, a Marathon Ontario rider, crashed his motorcycle with his step daughter on the back. She suffered some pretty bad injuries and went through some surgeries, but for the most part, she's doing well these days.
Wayne on the other hand struggles with partial paralysis, short term memory loss (although his long term memory is crystal clear) and was moved into long term care in the Marathon Hospital a number of years ago.
I was contacted in mid August by an organization called Wish of A Lifetime Canada. They have an American parent office in Colorado for their US wishes and a Canadian branch in Toronto for Canadian wishes.
They had been Google searching motorcycling to see if they could find a partner that could help make a Senior's wish come true. (Wish of A Lifetime has a group of employees who support making wishes for Seniors com true.) Our seniors are more and more isolated, often times they have little or no family close by, and therefore very little socialization. The mission of Wish of A Lifetime is to enrich the lives of seniors by reconnecting them with others of like mind and their own passions, helping get them out of the house, out of the hospital and helping them regain that sense of purpose, of life force, helping to enjoy life again.
Shannon, the co-ordinator I was to end up working with explained Wayne Brand's story to me and asked if I thought I could help them.
I said "No, I don't think I can, I know I can."
I asked Shannon to give me 4 hours, and after a number of phone calls, I had John and Jean Rose of the Marathon Legion (both avid riders) willing to help us in the task of hosting a poker run.
Turns out that Wayne is a member of their Legion. They also found a gent with a side car, and because of an engine failure, Excalibur Motorcycle Works Ltd. in Thunder Bay sent a complete stranger out on his Ural side car to ensure Wayne would go to his party in style!
I also had the help, guidance and support of Ted, Jessica and the whole crew at Thunder Bay Harley-Davidson.
I went back to Shannon with what had been accomplished in the course of an afternoon and she was thrilled. Over the next few weeks, Jean and John Rose of the Marathon Legion worked their CANS off, getting the word out to the regional riders, all of the Legions on the route and getting a penny auction and BBQ set up for the day of the event, September 22nd, 2018.
I created posters, reached out to riders and Thunder Bay Harley-Davidson reached out and printed posters.
I flew into Thunder Bay on the 21st of September and friends from the Superior Riders, Dave and Violet Alderdice who live in Kakabeka Falls just outside of T-Bay, agreed to pick me up, put me up and put up with me for the next three days!
It was so good to reconnect with these two, I gotta tell you I love them big time! They are just the sweetest, kindest people in the world.
Anyway, on Friday I was apparently supposed to join the HOG chapter for lunch, but I misread the email and thought it was for dinner time, so we headed in to pick up the motorcycle I was to be riding and I found out I had let the HOG Chapter down.
I felt like crap. Ted and his girlfriend decided we'd make up for the missed meal by going out to a local hotel for a meal with myself and Dave and Vi.
The weather in Thunder Bay was turning cold and rain was forecast for the day of the event. Sigh, Mother Nature has played havoc with a whole lot of fundraiser this season. I had gotten Dave to take me to Canadian Tire BEFORE I had picked up the Sport Glide (A FUN little bike) where I proceeded to buy $35 worth of Hot Shots for my feet, hands and core.
GOOD THING I DID.
We got up bright and early on Saturday, and I headed into the dealership so I could get some interviews done. Dave and Vi would ride in on their Goldwing a little later.
I interviewed Jim, the gent who made sure that the Sport Glide I was going to be riding was good to go...he's quite the character, I gotta tell you!
I also interviewed Katie and Ted for Facebook Live. In spite of the cold weather, and it was cold 4 degrees, we still had 10 bikes show. Ted the owner decided that with all his obligations, he'd be better off driving the chase vehicle and he let me ride his Road Glide, a 2018 with 5,800 K on it...OH I WANT ONE....so bad....what a gorgeous machine.
Anyway, we headed out knowing that e were stopping every hour and we road literally, one hour at a time. When we got into Nipigon, our first stop, the smell of home made perogies fried onions was the smell that assailed us. I had to buy a dozen to take back to Dave and Vi's to add to dinner on Sunday!
The Nipigon Legion pulled out all the stops! Donuts, coffee and hugs, lots of hugs.
It was cold and over cast, but I think we all felt the same, it was worth it to be cold, we were looking forward to making a man's day...We pulled into Schriber to be met by at least another 15 bikes! Again, the Legion was warm and inviting with free coffee!
The pack headed out to the Marathon Hospital, there Jean and John had arranged for a side car to meet us there and we planned on bringing Wayne to the Marathon Legion in the side car.
Wow, all I can say is Wow. The emotions were so high, so raw, so grateful - the smile on Wayne's face, the tears in his wife Barb's eyes. As a matter of fact I don't think that anyone had a dry eye.
Once at the Legion, there were BBQ'ed burgers and hot dogs, French fries and beverages. All free to the rider.
I interviewed John and Jean and some of the riders who participated and then I got to interview Wayne and Barb.
Wayne's words sum this day up the best....Watch this short video of the day
I wanted to stay overnight as had been originally planned and take in the band and the rest of the festivities, but the forecast for rain and howling winds was even worse for Sunday than they were for Saturday night and so back the Thunder Bay we went, and freeze, OMG I haven't been that cold and wet in a long time.
Thank goodness for the Hot Shots which I shared freely. We made it back in one piece, soaked through the rain gear, and frozen to the bone, but we did it.
It was such an honour to be a part of Wayne's wish coming true and I just hope and pray that now that the community knows this man misses them, that they remember to stop in and spend some time with him.
I can't thank Thunder Bay Harley-Davidson: Ted, Jessica, Jim, Katie and the gang, the great folks from the Marathon Legion: Jean and John for all their hard work to bring the other Legions on board and to set up the BBQ, the Penny Auction etc...
Because of their efforts and the support of the Northwestern Ontario Motorcycle Community a local man won $600 on the poker run and just over $1000 went to Wish of A Lifetime Canada to help more Canadian Seniors get a wish...
WHAT AN HONOUR - thank you Wish of A Lifetime Canada for Reaching out to me!
Belt Drive Betty,
Editor & Rider
To see other photos from this event, visit our Canadian Motorcycle Events Pages on Facebook:
Erins Photos: https://www.facebook.com/pg/CanadianMotorcycleEvents/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1414952151982344
Michael Beno's Photos: https://www.facebook.com/pg/CanadianMotorcycleEvents/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1414950801982479
Dave Alderdice's Photos: https://www.facebook.com/pg/CanadianMotorcycleEvents/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1414948961982663
Jerome's Photos: https://www.facebook.com/pg/CanadianMotorcycleEvents/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1414947308649495
My Photos: https://www.facebook.com/pg/CanadianMotorcycleEvents/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1414938245317068
Wayne on the other hand struggles with partial paralysis, short term memory loss (although his long term memory is crystal clear) and was moved into long term care in the Marathon Hospital a number of years ago.
I was contacted in mid August by an organization called Wish of A Lifetime Canada. They have an American parent office in Colorado for their US wishes and a Canadian branch in Toronto for Canadian wishes.
They had been Google searching motorcycling to see if they could find a partner that could help make a Senior's wish come true. (Wish of A Lifetime has a group of employees who support making wishes for Seniors com true.) Our seniors are more and more isolated, often times they have little or no family close by, and therefore very little socialization. The mission of Wish of A Lifetime is to enrich the lives of seniors by reconnecting them with others of like mind and their own passions, helping get them out of the house, out of the hospital and helping them regain that sense of purpose, of life force, helping to enjoy life again.
Shannon, the co-ordinator I was to end up working with explained Wayne Brand's story to me and asked if I thought I could help them.
I said "No, I don't think I can, I know I can."
I asked Shannon to give me 4 hours, and after a number of phone calls, I had John and Jean Rose of the Marathon Legion (both avid riders) willing to help us in the task of hosting a poker run.
Turns out that Wayne is a member of their Legion. They also found a gent with a side car, and because of an engine failure, Excalibur Motorcycle Works Ltd. in Thunder Bay sent a complete stranger out on his Ural side car to ensure Wayne would go to his party in style!
I also had the help, guidance and support of Ted, Jessica and the whole crew at Thunder Bay Harley-Davidson.
I went back to Shannon with what had been accomplished in the course of an afternoon and she was thrilled. Over the next few weeks, Jean and John Rose of the Marathon Legion worked their CANS off, getting the word out to the regional riders, all of the Legions on the route and getting a penny auction and BBQ set up for the day of the event, September 22nd, 2018.
I created posters, reached out to riders and Thunder Bay Harley-Davidson reached out and printed posters.
I flew into Thunder Bay on the 21st of September and friends from the Superior Riders, Dave and Violet Alderdice who live in Kakabeka Falls just outside of T-Bay, agreed to pick me up, put me up and put up with me for the next three days!
It was so good to reconnect with these two, I gotta tell you I love them big time! They are just the sweetest, kindest people in the world.
Anyway, on Friday I was apparently supposed to join the HOG chapter for lunch, but I misread the email and thought it was for dinner time, so we headed in to pick up the motorcycle I was to be riding and I found out I had let the HOG Chapter down.
I felt like crap. Ted and his girlfriend decided we'd make up for the missed meal by going out to a local hotel for a meal with myself and Dave and Vi.
The weather in Thunder Bay was turning cold and rain was forecast for the day of the event. Sigh, Mother Nature has played havoc with a whole lot of fundraiser this season. I had gotten Dave to take me to Canadian Tire BEFORE I had picked up the Sport Glide (A FUN little bike) where I proceeded to buy $35 worth of Hot Shots for my feet, hands and core.
GOOD THING I DID.
We got up bright and early on Saturday, and I headed into the dealership so I could get some interviews done. Dave and Vi would ride in on their Goldwing a little later.
I interviewed Jim, the gent who made sure that the Sport Glide I was going to be riding was good to go...he's quite the character, I gotta tell you!
I also interviewed Katie and Ted for Facebook Live. In spite of the cold weather, and it was cold 4 degrees, we still had 10 bikes show. Ted the owner decided that with all his obligations, he'd be better off driving the chase vehicle and he let me ride his Road Glide, a 2018 with 5,800 K on it...OH I WANT ONE....so bad....what a gorgeous machine.
Anyway, we headed out knowing that e were stopping every hour and we road literally, one hour at a time. When we got into Nipigon, our first stop, the smell of home made perogies fried onions was the smell that assailed us. I had to buy a dozen to take back to Dave and Vi's to add to dinner on Sunday!
The Nipigon Legion pulled out all the stops! Donuts, coffee and hugs, lots of hugs.
It was cold and over cast, but I think we all felt the same, it was worth it to be cold, we were looking forward to making a man's day...We pulled into Schriber to be met by at least another 15 bikes! Again, the Legion was warm and inviting with free coffee!
The pack headed out to the Marathon Hospital, there Jean and John had arranged for a side car to meet us there and we planned on bringing Wayne to the Marathon Legion in the side car.
Once at the Legion, there were BBQ'ed burgers and hot dogs, French fries and beverages. All free to the rider.
I interviewed John and Jean and some of the riders who participated and then I got to interview Wayne and Barb.
Wayne's words sum this day up the best....Watch this short video of the day
I wanted to stay overnight as had been originally planned and take in the band and the rest of the festivities, but the forecast for rain and howling winds was even worse for Sunday than they were for Saturday night and so back the Thunder Bay we went, and freeze, OMG I haven't been that cold and wet in a long time.
Thank goodness for the Hot Shots which I shared freely. We made it back in one piece, soaked through the rain gear, and frozen to the bone, but we did it.
It was such an honour to be a part of Wayne's wish coming true and I just hope and pray that now that the community knows this man misses them, that they remember to stop in and spend some time with him.
I can't thank Thunder Bay Harley-Davidson: Ted, Jessica, Jim, Katie and the gang, the great folks from the Marathon Legion: Jean and John for all their hard work to bring the other Legions on board and to set up the BBQ, the Penny Auction etc...
Because of their efforts and the support of the Northwestern Ontario Motorcycle Community a local man won $600 on the poker run and just over $1000 went to Wish of A Lifetime Canada to help more Canadian Seniors get a wish...
WHAT AN HONOUR - thank you Wish of A Lifetime Canada for Reaching out to me!
Belt Drive Betty,
Editor & Rider
To see other photos from this event, visit our Canadian Motorcycle Events Pages on Facebook:
Erins Photos: https://www.facebook.com/pg/CanadianMotorcycleEvents/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1414952151982344
Michael Beno's Photos: https://www.facebook.com/pg/CanadianMotorcycleEvents/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1414950801982479
Dave Alderdice's Photos: https://www.facebook.com/pg/CanadianMotorcycleEvents/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1414948961982663
Jerome's Photos: https://www.facebook.com/pg/CanadianMotorcycleEvents/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1414947308649495
My Photos: https://www.facebook.com/pg/CanadianMotorcycleEvents/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1414938245317068
Friday, June 15, 2018
Stripping away our Charter Rights and Freedoms: The Royal Canadian Legion, the Police and the slippery slope of discrimination.
The new narrative of the Royal Canadian Legion's Dominion Command is a disappointing one.
It started because a police officer took offence to a veteran wearing motorcycle garb at a Remembrance Day event while also wearing his medals. The police officer called it disrespectful and after discussions the Dominion Command of the Royal Canadian Legion decided to adopt a ban on "outlaw" clubs...
Let me go back in time a bit...
In the late 40's, after WWII a lot of veterans came back missing the camaraderie of those they had worked with, and needing adrenaline fixes to keep the PTSD at bay (they called it shell shock back then).
A lot of veterans took up motorcycle riding and today, our highways are filled with veterans who ride motorcycle to ease the pain in their head and more.
A lot of these veterans have joined male only motorcycle clubs that are generally comprised of a small knit group of like minded people. They support each other just like they did when they were in combat. They have each other's back, they eat together, ride together, drink and party together. They stay to themselves for the most part, because they want to be with peers who understand, without having to say a word.
I truly understand that whole world these days and in ways I never thought possible.
It's the same world that Firefighters belong to, where peer to peer counselling is a big part of what goes on after a fire because there is a credibility the person you are talking to has when you fought a fire side by side with them or you fed them....When I spiralled into an 8 month PTSD pit of hell in May of 2017 after the first anniversary of Fort Mac's wildfire, I couldn't afford counselling. It was the guys from Wood Buffalo that literally talked me off the ledge twice during that 8 months and I credit them with why I am still here today.
I was that close to going down the rabbit hole.
It is for that reason that many veterans choose to ride in close knit groups with a vetting period to ensure that the person they let into their fold is going to have their back when they wig out.
There really is nothing more sinister than that going on in 99% of these clubs.
The problem with a lot of riding clubs - one piece patch outfits - there is no vetting period - you buy your patch and you attend or don't attend events and rides. There are a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences but very seldom do they and the veteran truly have much in common. A lot of the time, because the supporters don't know how to handle PTSD etc., there is a large ebb and flow of membership, this is not what most veterans are looking for, they are looking for consistency, stability in an otherwise unstable world.
A person who has never experienced PTSD has no clue how to deal with the psychological traumas that some of these people have. Being around people who don't understand makes some of these veterans pull away, become anti social etc...
All three piece patches are not created equally and this is not an issue about 1% clubs like the Hells Angels or the Outlaws or support clubs like the Dirty Few. Those clubs, they don't give a rats arse about the average rider. Individually I know some members of those clubs, and they have always treated me with consideration and respect, however, in the grand scheme of things, I am no one in their world and neither is the average rider.
I am not here to judge who is a criminal and who is not. I know that there are members of 1% clubs who don't have so much as speeding tickets because that's who they are as a person. I work hard not to generalize as generalizations lead to profiling which is what the police appear to do in our community on a regular basis.
I have two uncles who were RCMP officers and they definitely did not like the Rock Machine, the Angels, the Popeyes but...they did not deny the rest of the riders in the country their charter rights to try and nab what they deemed to be the bad guys. They did sound police work to get their "man".
Why the Royal Canadian Legion has decided to do just that is beyond me: take away the charter rights of VETERANS - the very people they are sworn to serve...
A person I know who wears the patch of a Veterans MC was asked to leave a licensed establishment for wearing his colours on date night with his wife just a few weeks ago.
He is not a criminal, his Motorcycle Club is not a gang. BUT because the waitress knows she stands to face $10K in penalties and or up to 6 months in jail for serving "outlaws"....well, she asked him to take his cut off or leave and he didn't want to do either so the cops were called.
Nice right, a veteran, eating dinner with his spouse... let that sink in...
He wasn't fighting, he wasn't disrupting the other patrons, he was having a nice dinner with his WIFE.
A waitress can face up to $10,000 and or 6 months in jail.
An owner can face up to $50K in fines and temporary closures and as high as $200K in fines and loss of license.
I am not fear mongering here.
These are the laws in Alberta, check it out in your province unless you live in Saskatchewan where this law does not apply because it was struck down in 2009 as unconstitutional. (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/saskatchewan-gang-colours-law-1.3953848).
If you serve a member of a "gang" who is wearing their "colours" you can face the fines above if you get the right police officer because under the liquor control act, they are considered liquor inspectors.
So, out of the 5,000 or so Motorcycle Clubs in the world, how many are considered criminal or unwanted by the police?
And how many get tarred with that brush simply because they have asked for permission to wear a three piece patch instead of doing what the Iron Order did in the US and just stand themselves up, don't talk to the dominants and create turf wars everywhere?
Our Traditional MC's get penalized for being considerate and polite and NOT CAUSING TURF WARS, by the police who try to make it look like these guys are in bed with what the police consider to be a criminal entity.
So folks - this petition I started is not about standing up for the 1% clubs.
They can and will do that for themselves.
My assistance is not needed by them, neither is yours.
No, this is about standing up against Patchwearerphobia (Similar to Islamaphobia which is now illegal in this country).
Our Charter of Rights and Freedoms under the Constitution Act of 1982:
I feel for the waitress or volunteer who tells someone they must either take off their clothing or leave.
I feel for the person whose Charter Freedoms are being stripped away.
Why is this happening?
It's a police narrative and agenda.
PLEASE - SIGN OUR PETITION: https://www.thepetitionsite.com/290/964/087/demand-a-reversal-of-the-motorcycle-colours-amp-logos-ban-in-all-royal-canadian-legions-in-canada/
The Legion's general meeting is in August.
I am trying to reserve my personal decision on staying or leaving until that meeting transpires.
I love our branch president here in GP and the relationship that I have with our region 1 commander. is wonderful. I really don't want to loose that.
I do not love what the organization's command has decided. I think they have forgotten that a Veteran is a Veteran - their clothing choices do not cancel out their service to our country.
What say you?
Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
Don't forget our Father's Day Contest....
Win some Haupy's Beaver Rub by snapping a photo of the "dad" in your life at the BBQ...
and then Like our page: CanadianMotorcycleEvents on Facebook.
(Please, rub responsibly and remember, this rub is not for use on live beavers)
It started because a police officer took offence to a veteran wearing motorcycle garb at a Remembrance Day event while also wearing his medals. The police officer called it disrespectful and after discussions the Dominion Command of the Royal Canadian Legion decided to adopt a ban on "outlaw" clubs...
Let me go back in time a bit...
In the late 40's, after WWII a lot of veterans came back missing the camaraderie of those they had worked with, and needing adrenaline fixes to keep the PTSD at bay (they called it shell shock back then).
A lot of veterans took up motorcycle riding and today, our highways are filled with veterans who ride motorcycle to ease the pain in their head and more.
A lot of these veterans have joined male only motorcycle clubs that are generally comprised of a small knit group of like minded people. They support each other just like they did when they were in combat. They have each other's back, they eat together, ride together, drink and party together. They stay to themselves for the most part, because they want to be with peers who understand, without having to say a word.
I truly understand that whole world these days and in ways I never thought possible.
It's the same world that Firefighters belong to, where peer to peer counselling is a big part of what goes on after a fire because there is a credibility the person you are talking to has when you fought a fire side by side with them or you fed them....When I spiralled into an 8 month PTSD pit of hell in May of 2017 after the first anniversary of Fort Mac's wildfire, I couldn't afford counselling. It was the guys from Wood Buffalo that literally talked me off the ledge twice during that 8 months and I credit them with why I am still here today.
I was that close to going down the rabbit hole.
It is for that reason that many veterans choose to ride in close knit groups with a vetting period to ensure that the person they let into their fold is going to have their back when they wig out.
There really is nothing more sinister than that going on in 99% of these clubs.
The problem with a lot of riding clubs - one piece patch outfits - there is no vetting period - you buy your patch and you attend or don't attend events and rides. There are a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences but very seldom do they and the veteran truly have much in common. A lot of the time, because the supporters don't know how to handle PTSD etc., there is a large ebb and flow of membership, this is not what most veterans are looking for, they are looking for consistency, stability in an otherwise unstable world.
A person who has never experienced PTSD has no clue how to deal with the psychological traumas that some of these people have. Being around people who don't understand makes some of these veterans pull away, become anti social etc...
All three piece patches are not created equally and this is not an issue about 1% clubs like the Hells Angels or the Outlaws or support clubs like the Dirty Few. Those clubs, they don't give a rats arse about the average rider. Individually I know some members of those clubs, and they have always treated me with consideration and respect, however, in the grand scheme of things, I am no one in their world and neither is the average rider.
I am not here to judge who is a criminal and who is not. I know that there are members of 1% clubs who don't have so much as speeding tickets because that's who they are as a person. I work hard not to generalize as generalizations lead to profiling which is what the police appear to do in our community on a regular basis.
I have two uncles who were RCMP officers and they definitely did not like the Rock Machine, the Angels, the Popeyes but...they did not deny the rest of the riders in the country their charter rights to try and nab what they deemed to be the bad guys. They did sound police work to get their "man".
Why the Royal Canadian Legion has decided to do just that is beyond me: take away the charter rights of VETERANS - the very people they are sworn to serve...
UNLESS YOU WEAR SOMETHING WE DON'T LIKE
He is not a criminal, his Motorcycle Club is not a gang. BUT because the waitress knows she stands to face $10K in penalties and or up to 6 months in jail for serving "outlaws"....well, she asked him to take his cut off or leave and he didn't want to do either so the cops were called.
Nice right, a veteran, eating dinner with his spouse... let that sink in...
He wasn't fighting, he wasn't disrupting the other patrons, he was having a nice dinner with his WIFE.
It's for people like him that I am standing up and putting my butt on the line with my Legion Membership.
Please people, educate yourselves about the fear mongering and what the penalties are for volunteers, waiting staff and owners...here are just a few of the penalties in the province of Alberta for serving someone you are not supposed to under the act:
A waitress can face up to $10,000 and or 6 months in jail.
An owner can face up to $50K in fines and temporary closures and as high as $200K in fines and loss of license.
I am not fear mongering here.
These are the laws in Alberta, check it out in your province unless you live in Saskatchewan where this law does not apply because it was struck down in 2009 as unconstitutional. (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/saskatchewan-gang-colours-law-1.3953848).
If you serve a member of a "gang" who is wearing their "colours" you can face the fines above if you get the right police officer because under the liquor control act, they are considered liquor inspectors.
So, out of the 5,000 or so Motorcycle Clubs in the world, how many are considered criminal or unwanted by the police?
And how many get tarred with that brush simply because they have asked for permission to wear a three piece patch instead of doing what the Iron Order did in the US and just stand themselves up, don't talk to the dominants and create turf wars everywhere?
Our Traditional MC's get penalized for being considerate and polite and NOT CAUSING TURF WARS, by the police who try to make it look like these guys are in bed with what the police consider to be a criminal entity.
So folks - this petition I started is not about standing up for the 1% clubs.
They can and will do that for themselves.
My assistance is not needed by them, neither is yours.
No, this is about standing up against Patchwearerphobia (Similar to Islamaphobia which is now illegal in this country).
Our Charter of Rights and Freedoms under the Constitution Act of 1982:
Fundamental Freedoms
Fundamental freedoms
2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:
- (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.AND
Equality Rights
Equality before and under law and equal protection and benefit of law
- 15. (1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.
I feel for the waitress or volunteer who tells someone they must either take off their clothing or leave.
I feel for the person whose Charter Freedoms are being stripped away.
Why is this happening?
It's a police narrative and agenda.
PLEASE - SIGN OUR PETITION: https://www.thepetitionsite.com/290/964/087/demand-a-reversal-of-the-motorcycle-colours-amp-logos-ban-in-all-royal-canadian-legions-in-canada/
The Legion's general meeting is in August.
I am trying to reserve my personal decision on staying or leaving until that meeting transpires.
I love our branch president here in GP and the relationship that I have with our region 1 commander. is wonderful. I really don't want to loose that.
I do not love what the organization's command has decided. I think they have forgotten that a Veteran is a Veteran - their clothing choices do not cancel out their service to our country.
Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
Don't forget our Father's Day Contest....
Win some Haupy's Beaver Rub by snapping a photo of the "dad" in your life at the BBQ...
and then Like our page: CanadianMotorcycleEvents on Facebook.
(Please, rub responsibly and remember, this rub is not for use on live beavers)
Thursday, January 25, 2018
Fundraising, Accountability & Becoming a Registered Charity
Because his is a private foundation, there is no real accountability.
It's not illegal what he's doing, but it is questionable. The Legion is looking into his use of the poppy and there are many who are going after the man viscously because they believe him to be a user.
I spoke with the man, I was curious and wary because of the whole ourwoundedwarriors.org thing.
I'm not so sure the man is a con, or that he's doing anything wrong, but there's no way to prove that he's doing the good things he states unless you want to spend hours on the phone. It's easy to surmise he's doing something wrong just based on the name he chose to use. His way of doing things makes accountability tough and in the non profit and charity world, accountability is everything.
I've experienced people complaining about me and where do the funds I/we raise go, our non profit has never made a ton of money but when it has raised anything, the donations were given very publicly to ensure people knew we were helping out in our community. Like the over $4K we raised for Kate MacEachern, we donated it to her at the Royal Canadian Legion in Leduc - in cash the day after our event at a public presentation and had pictures to prove it. Some of the people we helped, like a man in southern Alberta 18 months ago or so, whose wife just recently passed - we were donated an electric scooter, she had need of it, we did the driving from Kamloops to Calgary to deliver it. We never made anything out of it, because he and his wife are private people, it just felt good to make a difference.
Right now we have a donation that just came in, the Jouse 2 controller one of those tools that allows people to use their breath to do many things for them when they are paralyzed and we have a lift for a handi-van that can be used for converting a van into a wheel chair accessible van to donate.
The veteran we had intended to support with it did not want it. We were $25,000 short in our fundraising efforts to build him a wheelchair accessible scooter and instead acquired this lift that is in amazing shape. Sadly, the veteran felt so deflated that he's all but quit talking to us. It's a hard bitter pill to swallow when you can't make something a reality. That doesn't happen to me often, especially when I am working to help someone else.
We have made one huge project a reality and because of our hard work, the Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association has just taken over the Afghanistan War Monument & Veterans Memorial Gardens Project here in Grande Prairie officially.
Our Peace Arch, memorials, monument and concrete pad and solar street lights are ALL 100% PAID FOR! As project lead that is something I am very proud of. Phase 1 of this enormous project is in the ground and paid for, on time and on budget!
Now that Veterans Affairs has accepted the Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association as keeper of the project, we have registered and are waiting on approvals to become an Alberta Registered Charity. It does not give us CRA status, but what it does do is: ensure our board goes through a criminal record checks and helps the public feel better about supporting us because they will be able to find us on the Service Alberta Website as a Charity. It means that our fundraising materials have been vetted and that we are "cleared" essentially to ask for people to donate.
It also helps us learn about governance and charitable reporting and helps us grow as we work towards CRA status.
It's not hard to register, but many organizations don't know that if they plan on hitting $25,000+ in donations that they need to be a registered charity business in Alberta.
It's $60 for the fee, some paperwork and you mail in the application. It takes about 3 weeks for the process.
We hope that our registered charitable status in Alberta is finalized around the end of the first week in February.
Raising money for charitable causes/projects is a big responsibility.
You need to make sure you do the reporting the way people want you to - like the donations we got from the Legion's Poppy Fund (several Legions contributed). We were given $16,500 towards our monument project that needed to be paid to the monument maker in one lump sum to ensure that the Legion's knew their money went to the right place.
It is very important that one takes care of those things the way the donors ask and so...
Our donor, the Royal Canadian Legion's of northern Alberta (District 1) are happy, and so is our monument maker!
Our project has grown to involve more than gardens and points of interest, it will involve a small museum, a gift shop etc...
It will hopefully be completed by 2020-2021 and then we intend to enter the Communities in Bloom Contest for Memorial Gardens. We are going to put our gardens and monument on the map and ensure that every veteran who rides WANTS to come to Grande Prairie to experience our little piece of sacred ground.
www.motorcycletourism.ca is our new website.
You can watch there for all kinds of things our organization has decided to become part of!
In the meantime, Community Futures, the Rider friendly Business Association and the Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association are proud to present Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Contest - we are looking to find the community that treated the riding community the best last year. (2017)
Nominate your favourite community to ride to, to live in as a rider...
Have a great day everyone...
Belt Drive Betty,
Editor & Rider
Here is the Powerpoint for our Project - Veteran's Memorial Gardens
Monday, June 27, 2016
Afghanistan Monument Project - Kick Off Parade & Poker Run
MP Chris Warkentin
On behalf of ANAVETS and 3rd CAV want to thank those who came out to our Afghanistan Monument Project Parade & Poker Run.
While our numbers were small for the poker run, 19 participants, we had a wonderful day and Mother Nature even cooperated.
Because of you and our sponsors and supporters we raised $1,000 and brought attention to the Afghanistan Monument Project in Veterans Park.
Congratulations to Chris Racette who won the $250 cash prize and condolences to Alan Patchett who won the worst hand prize.
MLA Wayne Drysdale
While being spearheaded by myself as a member of C.A.V., beautifying Veterans Park and building this monument has become a very important mission of the Army, Navy, Air Force Veterans Branch #389. Their commitment to our veterans and the memories of those who are fallen is second to none.
Councilor Chris Thiessen
3rd C.A.V. and ANAVETS Branch #389 want to thank our attending dignitaries &
honoured guests:
Chris Warketin, MP Grande Prairie - Mackenzie
Wayne Drysdale - MLA for Grande Prairie-Wapiti
Councillor Chris Thiessen - representing the Mayor of Grande Prairie, Bill Given
Fire Chief Dan Lemieux and Grande Prairie Fire Department
Dwayne Smith, President of Branch #389 ANAVETS
Moe Morgan, Manger, RCL Branch 54
Inspector Don Mckenna, RCMP
Rob Engler, Superior Fire Control
Hop Sing - Caen Unit, 3rd C.A.V. Regina
Filter - Frezenberg Unit, 3rd CAV Edmonton
Old Goat Trail, Frezenberg Unit, 3rd C.A.V. Edmonton
Slider, Frezenber Unit, 3rd C.A.V. Edmonton
Peter Robertson, Wild West Motorcycle & Tattoo Fest
MLA Wayne Drysdale
While being spearheaded by myself as a member of C.A.V., beautifying Veterans Park and building this monument has become a very important mission of the Army, Navy, Air Force Veterans Branch #389. Their commitment to our veterans and the memories of those who are fallen is second to none.
Councilor Chris Thiessen
3rd C.A.V. and ANAVETS Branch #389 want to thank our attending dignitaries &
honoured guests:
Chris Warketin, MP Grande Prairie - Mackenzie
Wayne Drysdale - MLA for Grande Prairie-Wapiti
Councillor Chris Thiessen - representing the Mayor of Grande Prairie, Bill Given
Fire Chief Dan Lemieux and Grande Prairie Fire Department
Dwayne Smith, President of Branch #389 ANAVETS
Moe Morgan, Manger, RCL Branch 54
Inspector Don Mckenna, RCMP
Rob Engler, Superior Fire Control
Hop Sing - Caen Unit, 3rd C.A.V. Regina
Filter - Frezenberg Unit, 3rd CAV Edmonton
Old Goat Trail, Frezenberg Unit, 3rd C.A.V. Edmonton
Slider, Frezenber Unit, 3rd C.A.V. Edmonton
Peter Robertson, Wild West Motorcycle & Tattoo Fest
 |
Dan Lemieux & City Fire Dept. members
Dwayne Smith, President ANAVETS Branch #389
Moe Morgan, Branch Manager RCL #54
Lead bike in this photo - Hop Sing from 3rd C.A.V. Caen Unit, Regina SK, and farthest rider winner
At this time we'd also like to thank Valerie Young for the donation of the gorgeous quilt she made for this project.
It's a Super Queen size and raffle tickets are $2.00 and can be purchased from ANAVETS members or at the ANAVETS club house:
10117 93 St,
Grande Prairie, AB T8V 1Y1
Phone: (780) 532-2623
Valerie Young and the gorgeous quilt she donated for raffle.
If you are blessed enough to be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone is blind and can not see you.
Belt Drive Betty,
Editor & Rider
It's a Super Queen size and raffle tickets are $2.00 and can be purchased from ANAVETS members or at the ANAVETS club house:
10117 93 St,
Grande Prairie, AB T8V 1Y1
Phone: (780) 532-2623
Valerie Young and the gorgeous quilt she donated for raffle.
If you are blessed enough to be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone is blind and can not see you.
Belt Drive Betty,
Editor & Rider
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
Friday, November 06, 2015
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.
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
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 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
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.
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