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P.O. Box 160223 Nashville, Tn 37216-0223 615 262-1119 - Office
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I am in Awe….. Here it is - the first of July! Where did spring go? I know for a lot of us it went to the planning and execution of the Southern Thunder Rally. It was a huge event - especially for the first year. There are so many people who need to be thanked including our co-chairmen - Ann and Randy. Of course, with these two come their silent or not so silent partners that really stepped up big time - Thank you Rhonda and Wayne. Now, past this point I'll just get into trouble because I won't identify everyone who helped. I recently asked for input from those of you who where there to help come up with a list. I was truly amazed at the number of people on the compiled list. It is easy to get into the mindset that only a few people were helping. But, when you take a look at the list it is quite extensive. So, I'll steal some good hard work from Bob Edwards - our wonderful Safety and Education Chairman who also worked as the 'Volunteer Chairman' at the STR. He put the following together with a great deal of effort. Thanks Bob. **** Here is a list of volunteers, including staff and in no particular order, which made life a little easier for everyone at STR. I know that not all helpers will be listed here and if any are omitted, I apologize. I met too many good people with new faces for me to remember them all. Not all last names were given to me to record. In some cases I will list the job that they did. With help from you all we will identify everyone. If you know of someone that I omitted, or spelled wrong, please edit or add their name so that we can have as close to a complete list as possible. John I don't know everyone that worked the gate. Nancy, I know the Center Hill Charter helped the poker run, please add their names. Wayne, you know who was at the drags. They all need to be thanked. Thank you everyone. It was awesome!!!! ----- Bob Edwards Ann Stout, Wayne Stout, Randy Williams, Rhonda Williams, Tojo Wilkinson, Rebecca Wilkinson, John Pierce, Dean Lucas, Nancy Carr, Center Hill Charter (at the State Wide Poker Run Booth), Dale Carroll, Shirley Blanks, Lenora Beck, Gary Action, Wayne Shaub, Julie Shaub, Donna Monfette, Frank Monfette, Dave Luce, Karen Luce, Andy Kline, Kym Kline, Myrt Hobson, Scott Cantrell, Rick Varese, Nora Verese, Teddy (1st aid), Batman (1st aid), Sharon (1st aid), Rachel Weese, Faith Hawkins, Wayne Carr, Pam Cooper, Rob Wolford, Mike Hayes, Kevin Black, Marlin Rood, Beefy Ethridge, Bob Edwards, Wray Schott, Bear, Vickie, Karla Gilmore, Dusty, Jeff Priman, Jeff (Beer Booth), Scott Robert, Tracy Rich, Bobby Rich, Darrell - Ballistic Pintos, Becky - Ballistic Pintos, Jackie Wilderness, Jeff Lawrence, Kip Needham, Elizabeth Needham, Mark Miller, Terry Hagemeier, Jim Whitehead, Captain Kirk, Donna Elmore, Beer Booth Volunteers: Steve, Dwight, Lisa, Dawn and male friend, Angie and male friend; Adam Lynch, FuzzyDog, Jack Fuller, Carol Hatch, Joan Jones, Carpenter, Jimmy Goodwin, Jimmy England, Amy in products, Mark Moore, Vince Harrigan, Merrill Pegg, Milton Travis, Tom Monceret. ***** We put about 1300 people through the door at the First Annual Southern Thunder Rally. That is 1300 people at an event of our making; at a place and time we defined. Then I see the people who stepped up and I am truly thankful that we have that many wonderful people willing to not only work at this type of event but also pay for the privilege to do so. Yes, everyone paid. Other than some promotional passes for contests and giveaways - everyone paid. I think back to November 2002 when I was writing the rules of the 2003-2004 State Wide Poker Run. I wondered if anyone would notice, "Rule #5: Drawing for this 1st Annual Statewide Poker Run will be held at the CMT/ABATE Freedom Bash to be held in middle Tennessee in May, 2004." I wondered if anyone would ask the question, "What Freedom Bash?" It wasn't until the December, 2003 Board of Director's meeting that Ann and Randy stepped up and made this single statement on a piece of paper a reality. I am truly amazed at how dedicated everyone was to this organization, what it stands for and what it can become through having successful events and spreading the motorcycle rights message. I am humbled by you all and proud just to say that I am associated with you. For the last two years I have been saying and saying and saying that we need a Marquee Motorcycle Event to put this motorcycle rights organization on the map, raise awareness, raise money and give the bikers of Tennessee a reason to all get together rather than always going out of state to 'their' events. Now we have one thanks purely to the dedication, desire and hard work of those listed above and any others we have failed to recognize. Who knows what improvements we will make for next year but I know we will do some things better. Maybe we can start using this gathering to send the message we want to the legislature. We are a force to be reckoned with and we WILL be heard. If you couldn't make it to the event, I am truly sorry. Check out some of the fun we had by looking at the pictures online at www.cmtabate.com. What an Event! We're already planning the 2005 Southern Thunder Rally. Be sure not to miss it. Thank you all. Maybe next year I can give an event seminar on Wiring Harness Preventive Maintenance…. Steve |
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