A Brother From Another Mother

I found this in drafts.  I wrote it right after attending Dave's funeral. I didn't publish it because... I don't remember now.  Needing it to be perfect comes to mind, now.  Dirt just needs to be remembered.

BFAM

July 5th, 2010, David “DirtBike” Bailey, left us to stand a flag line with the heroes in heaven.

My brother, Dave 'Dirt Bike' Bailey at 'Dave Fest '09'. Signing my sons chair. He was in Iraq and these were 'luxury' items he said they really missed.






After over a year long fight with his cancer alien, God chose to bring him home and give him peace. As sad as I am at Dirt’s passing, I know his pain has ended and he is at peace. I can’t help but smile at the thought of him greeting heroes with hugs, telling stories and just being a blessing to everyone that he meets.

Ride forever free my friend and crack open those pipes for me, the pipes you hear screaming in California are mine and they cry with me, missing you. NOT like a punk, like the true American patriot that you are. Know that you are already sorely missed and will never be forgotten.

(grinns) I can still hear Dave saying, ‘Ridin Til I Rot’ and ‘Aint going out like no punk’. He did both. I am blessed for knowing him.

God’s blessings and peace be with Janet, the family and his friends.

Question...

How do you, or more specifically I, tell some one they are being a dumb ass?

Besides the obvious, just come out and say it.

In a few posts below, I've talked about Tom. He has esophogas cancer. He says from years of smoking. Like since he was 19, since Vietnam.

Because he was a real man (his words) he never went to the doctors. If he had they may have found it early enough to make it not be fatal.

So... what causes a mid 40's, intelligent man to start or re-start smoking?? Peer pressure...? Really? Naw, can't be.

Ok... I'll just say it.

DC, you're being a dumb ass! Just stop smoking! Ok?
That shit WILL kill you!

And Steve, my gut tells me you aren't doing everything you should. I hope I'm wrong.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Turmoil

What would you give up for a job?

Would you move...
... across town/city?
... across the state?
... the country?

I know, I know. I'm beating this to death.

BUT

I've said before, these PGR guys (and gals) around here ARE family. There is more love here than any church I've ever attended.

I'm gonna miss them. All of them.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Another Week

I can't believe another week has passed and I'm still not posting like I should... like I want. I'm still getting the occasional comment, so I guess a few are still stopping by now and then.
Big thanks to kat, becky, nancy, tani and airmanmom - you guys make me smile. I'll be stopping by soon, promise.
Thanks to kartman, lobo and DC - you guys don't comment but I know you come by. Thanks again!

Let's see... what's been going on.

21 update - it went well. Took the kid and some of his friends and his gf to BD's Mongolian BBQ. The food there is always good. It's an 'all you can eat cook it the way you want and if you don't like it try again' place. I highly recommend it. Seems he has my endurance for alcohol. He had 1 - long island iced tea, 2 - marguita's on the rocks, 1 - peppermint schnapps about 2 ozs, and 2 - Bailey's on the rocks about 2 ozs each.
He got happy, but never really got drunk. As we were leaving he was heal-toeing a line and touching his nose. Hahaha. Spent well over a hundred dollars but hey, your baby only turns 21 once, right?

Job hunt - ya know, with CareerBuilder sending me daily updates on new job listings, i'll bet I'm sending out 10-20 resumes a week. And still nothing! I've given up on the lighting industry. Right now I'd take anything, especially if it pays decent.
I did get a lead from a guy I used to work with. Seems one of their vendors is hiring. Spoke to the owner and he is giving me an interview this Wednesday. WooHoo!! Again, I'll let you know what happens.

The other son. He didn't call today with any more details. He was at drill this weekend. I figure the COs made them stay late for one reason or another and he didn't have time. Guess i'll call him tomorrow.

The weather here Saturday was GREAT! Bright sunny all day with a high of about 65. Started out kinda cool though. It was 29 when I left the house. Went with the missus to Lafayette for a search. I rode. Had to, it had been too long again. Plus the IPG (Indiana Patriot Guard) was having a meeting in the afternoon. We are planning the 2009 rally.
I left the search about 3 and rode over to Silver Lake. The Barn. Had the meeting, some cookout food, a beer and of course a double shot.
Left about 9, made it home about midnight.
It was a great day. Got to help the wife on a missing persons case, got to spend time and eat dinner with my PGR family AND rode nearly 300 miles!

Speaking of the IPG event, you all are invited! May 8 and 9. Seriously, drop me an email and I'll get you directions. Any one questions you, just tell them you are 'DNR sent ya'. I'll bet someone hands you a beer then apologizes for you having to know me. hahaha

Till next time.
If you can't be good, be good at it!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

21

My youngest turns 21 today.

Jeese, am I really that old?

After watching DC and me get drunk he decided he wants us, his parents, to take him out and be his DD.

Responsible kid. Makes me proud.

Anyway... Should be fun. Doesn't have his dad's craving for plane whiskey. So we're gonna try some mixed drinks.

I'll post pics if he let's me take a few.

More about the other son THIS weekend.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Seems Uncle Sam

...wants MY son.

Just got off the phone with my son. Seems the man I didn't vote for and have very little, if any, respect for has decided he needs my son to fight for him.

I've decided not to look at it that way. My country has asked... You have asked and he has said yes.

He says we'll know more next weekend.

I couldn't be more scared.
I couldn't be more proud.

Stay tuned for details and don't tell the missus. Nick and I agreed not to tell her till he knew for sure.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Touching The Face of Grace

I posted this one over at the Indiana Patriot Guard Riders blog.

Go.

Read.

Bring a tissue.

Another Birthday

U. S. M. C.

223 years today.

Happy birthday Marines!

While I was surfing around looking for something witty to post or link to, I came across this, The Marines’ Prayer. Found it at Marines.mil.

God bless the Marines, God bless my Marines.

Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will. Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose in deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family. Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me. Make me considerate of those committed to my leadership. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind

Marine Family Day in Indianapolis

I can only e-mail 15 seconds worth of video, so these are short.

My son is in there someplace...

Anti-Bucket List

”Yeah, if ya get that far, then suddenly decide that you need to make a list of shit to do just before you eat your final shitburger; your life wasn't much worth living in the first place.” - dick (snagged from hoosierboy’s “FAT IN INDIANA” comments)

dick is right on. If you wait till then... it IS too too late. hb has the right idea, an “Anti-Bucket List”. Although not as extensive as his and some nearly the same as his, here is mine.

I’ve...
1. been to Scotland and seen the home of Robert Burns (great, great uncle) and seen the festivities in Edinburgh.
2. raised (assisted my wife) two wonderful young men
3. ridden to Washington DC with Rolling Thunder and 400,000 other bikers Patriots
4. attended the internment of a Vietnam Veteran at Arlington National Cemetery
5. held and said good bye to a beloved pet family member as he went to sleep for the last time
6. mentored several in my profession and am proudly watching them succeed
7. been to Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and the Badlands
8. ridden to Lake Superior
9. attended my sons graduation from Marine Boot Camp
10. loved and been loved by a strong woman
11. built and lived in my dream house
12. looked in the eye of the mother and father of a fallen soldier, thanked them, hugged them and cried with them

The Time To Choose Approaches

I received this e-mail (below the *********) from CJ over at A Soldier’s Perspective.

I can’t help but wonder what the mom in the Move On video will do with her son, if, after another 9-11 event, where his countrymen are killed, he volunteers. Does a parent stop loving their child for their choices, or threaten to with hold love...?

I could have more respect for the lady if she phrased it ‘he chooses not to volunteer’.

I am VERY proud of my two sons. One would just as soon bloody your nose, break your arm and throw you in a trash can as let you disrespect God and country. The other would rather you bloody his nose and break his arm as let you harm any living creature.

That doesn’t mean they both have respect for the rights this country gives them and you. Ultimately, I believe both of them would stand up against injustice and fight, be it physically or verbally, for your right to choose.

They are our children. We raise them, they choose. We are proud.

That’s is what it all really seems to be about, choice, the freedom to choose. Is Move On a choice? Does their candidate offer a choice?

Let the DNR bashing begin...
*********************
You may have seen the latest ad from the far-left group MoveOn.org, which they spent over $500k broadcasting on television.

The ad uses a young mother, holding her infant son, to launch a baseless and, frankly, creepy political attack on Senator McCain.

You can watch the :30 second tv ad here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq30lapbC9c

Here is what she says: "Hi, John McCain; this is Alex. He's my first. So far, his talents include trying any new food and chasing after our dog — that, and making my heart pound every time I look at him. So, John McCain, when you said you would stay in Iraq for 100 years, were you counting on Alex? Because, if you were, you can't have him.">

Former Air Force Major Eric Egland is running for Congress in the 4th Congressional District in California. He is married to Ania Egland. Here is Ania's :30 second video response: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mtAs2zpC2s

"Hello Senator McCain, these are my precious boys Noah and Daniel. Their daddy served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and I grew up under communism. So, when you say we have to protect freedom in Iraq, I understand. And, someday, I would be proud if they volunteered to serve this great country. Senator, thank you for your leadership."

Enjoy and please pass it on.


--
CJ
A Soldier's Perspective
http://www.soldiersperspective.us/

www.theyhavenames.com

I never apologize.
I'm sorry, but that's just the way I am.

"Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Philippians 4:8

******************

One Hell of a Weekend

Good gawd it was a hell of a weekend!

The missus decided to test gravity early Sunday morning. That or she thought she was in a ballet.

She missed or skipped the 4th to the last step coming down to breakfast and broke her right toe. If you look closely, you can see several pieces. The Doc said it was good that the joint was spared so there would be no increased risk for arthritis. She also sprained her left ankle and bruised her left hip, and shoulders and arms.

Sunday was spent in the ER... WAITING.... waiting on x-ray.... waiting on the Dr... waiting on the orthopedist... waiting for the meds to kick in... waiting for the meds to wear off. We got to the ER about 10 am and left at 6 pm. Neither of us had eaten since 8ish Saturday night. We both figured we were lucky we didn't kill each other on the way home.

Now, she sleeps in a drug induced blur that keeps things from throbbing too much but just enough to not let her sleep sound. Aahh the wonders of modern medicine.

Soooo, how was your weekend?

Before...

After...

Gary, FIL... Friend

A few years after I was married, my mother in law divorced her husband. Don was a loud, pompous, self serving man. It needed to happen.

A few years after the divorce Fran met a new man, Gary. He swept her off her feet, in the classic and romantic courting her kind of way. He made her happy, she knew she was appreciated with him. After a couple years they married.

Gary was a great guy. Loved to laugh and loved showing Fran a good time. As the years passed Gary got sick. Lung disease. He was forced to be on oxygen and about a year ago he received a lung transplant. He had been on the transplant list for over a year and during that time the oxygen deprivation he suffered damaged his kidneys, liver and gall bladder.

For about 10 weeks now he has been in the hospital.

A few days ago Gary decide to not be on any life support systems. Expecting a rather immediate end people gathered and waited. The strength of the man prevailed and he lived, conscious, talking and visiting with family and friends for two more days.

Sunday December 23 at about 5 am Gary died in his sleep. On his terms, in his way he met his maker.

Gary, my friend, my father in law... you will be missed. Rest in peace.

An Open Letter to a. jones

A comment was left twice, in two different posts, that needs addressed. Since the chicken shit chose to be anonymous, I choose to address him/her here.

Troll

You of all people should remember the day the US got involved in YOUR war. If it wasn’t for those heroic men then, you’d be speaking German now.

But that aside, you come into my house, insult my beliefs and MY family, anonymously... FUCK YOU, a. jones. FUCK YOU!!

I get rather irritated at you far left fucktards that can’t realize if it wasn’t for the heroes, those willing to fight for freedom, you would have none. You do realize that you owe them your life, right? No, I think you don’t. You believe you are entitled, should have these freedoms just because you grace us with your presence. Yeah, right, you worthless piece of shit.

As for the heroes you mock today... They fight there to keep it from coming here (or to the UK), you KNOW that!! I know you do.

If my son was lost in this war, this conflict.... I would mourn and have more sorrow than I’m sure you can comprehend. AND, be so proud of him for making a choice, his choice, and fighting for what he believes. Again, I do not believe you can comprehend this concept.

Torture, heh, if some militant suspected Muslim (or yourself) has to go a day or two with out food or sleep, be forced to stand for hours at a time or have their Koran pissed on, to save one American life, so be it. I will sleep well tonight knowing that there are men and women willing to do WHATEVER is necessary to get the job done.

a. jones, you are a fucking useless piece of shit that has no respect for anyone. Not even yourself. You are not worth the time it has taken me to write this. I very rarely wish ill will upon any one but in your case I will make an exception. When the next subway attack occurs over there, I truly hope you die slowly. Looking into the eyes of a medical professional that will choose to let you die, because you are hopeless and that there are others around that can be saved.

This Gave Me Chills

As a Marine Dad, I can have only respect for the dedication and commitment this level of perfection requires.

Last Saturday Catch-Up

OK, I'm lame. Last Friday was my last day at work and I've not been on the computer since Friday evening... so let me catch up a few things.

Last Saturday, the 17th, I did some Thanksgiving things. Wait... let me back up some more.

Last Thanksgiving (Nov 2006) I read this.

It has to be one of the most moving and profound things I have ever read. Jay at "Kill the Goat" is an incredible writer, she makes me laugh and think with each and every post she makes.

Anyway... After reading that last year I promised myself I would do more. I am blessed, we have plenty. I wanted to do more.

So, Saturday morning, this year, I met with some other volunteers at a food bank and delivered Thanksgiving dinners. I got to personally deliver to 6 elderly or poor families living around here. They were big ole banana boxes stuffed with apples, butter, rice, ham (canned) and 3 loafs of bread among many other things.

Hearing, "Oh, come on in. Aren't you a dear", made me smile. We were instructed to ask if they wanted us to place the boxes on a counter or table top. (there was no way they could lift these boxes). "Happy Thanksgiving" as I'd leave the homes. They were smiling form ear to ear and waving like one of their relatives was leaving after a visit.

I know, it was nothing major. But I did help in a small way. Going to do it again for Christmas.

That was from 0730 to 1000.

After that I went home and got the bike and headed to the south side of Indianapolis to meet some other PGR members. See, though a huge group of like mined individuals, we gathered several hundred Christmas stockings and 'goodies' to be sent to the troops. All together we stuffed (yes stuffed, the 'fixed price' boxes could barely be taped shut) 430 boxes to be be sent to our troops. We loaded them onto a trailer and shipped them out. The Indiana PGR paid the shipping.

It was a great morning!!!

I spent the reset of the day riding around southern Indiana. Guess I put about 250 miles on her Saturday, got home about 2200.

Posting for me is going to be hit or miss over the holiday, soooo if I don't talk... errrr read you before then, have a great Thanksgiving and please, thank a soldier.

A House Fire

This post at Sparrows (All Atwitter) and the fires in SoCal got me thinking...

A slightly different decision a few years ago and I’d be living in SoCal... maybe even one of those in the fire... huh... kinda surreal.

So, if you got a call or came home to find your place on fire, what would you do? Stand there frozen... Call 911 and wait... run in and grab... photos, jewelry, heirlooms... what would you do??

I personally don’t know. I think I’d be in the house throwing stuff out the windows trying to save any and everything possible. Hopefully fighting the fire.

About 3 years ago, my mom came home from work and when she entered the house she could smell smoke. (My parents house is a long ranch, you go from room to room, then a small hall, then a great room/kitchen/dinging/living room then a sun porch) When she opened the door to the next room she was swarmed with smoke. All gathered on the ceiling, down to about 5 feet. She closed the door and went back out side, called 911. She went around to the back of the house and could see flames and thick black smoke in the kitchen window. She ran around to the front of the house and came in a different door (middle of the living/great room)... with a garden hose, a wet rag over her nose and mouth and attacked the fire.

She actually put most of it out and then went for her babies.

My mom runs a ‘do not kill’ animal shelter for dogs and cats. At any given time she will have 100-200 cats and 50-100 dogs in a shelter she has built in town. There is always the special ones that get to stay at the house though. The number has been holding steady at 30 cats, 1 dog for the last couple years. These are the geriatric cats or special needs cats that will not get adopted at her shelter.

She spent the next couple hours finding cats in the smoke, pulling them out, putting them in carriers and rushing them to the vet. Somewhere in there she called friends to chauffer the cats to the vet while she kept the rescue effort going. Somewhere in there also, the firemen showed up and opened doors and put fans in windows.

Old portraits of relatives from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s were black. The glass in the frames had cracked form the heat. All of their books, some first editions form the early 1900’s were black with smoke. There were these real 70’s style fake wood beams on the ceiling in the dinning area, they melted and were dripping from the ceiling. All and I do mean ALL of the Tupperware or any plastic storage containers were ruined. They hold smoke. I believe one of the cats died, all of the rest made it. The vet bill was in the thousands. Eye washing, nasal flushing, baths. Turns out cats are kinda like horses. When scared they go to there favorite hiding/sleeping spot and stay there. All of the ones that had chosen high spots up in closets suffered the worst.

They spent 6 months in an apartment. The cats stayed in their barn. The heirloom stuff was repaired. There are actually companies that specialize and guarantee that they can remove smoke color and smell from clothes, art and books. They are back in the house now. For years growing up we heated with a wood fire. One of those big cast iron stove inserts. They haven’t used it in years, since the fire. Mom can’t stand the smell of smoke.

The cause... A coffee pot. One of those kinds that is ‘always ready’. Pour the water in and it starts making coffee in 30 seconds or less. That means that a heating element is always on or at least sensing the reservoir for water and turning on when water is poured in. The thermal switch broke, the heating element did not turn off. Burnt itself through the counter top and into the cabinet below. Caught dish towels and other paper products and spread from there.

The firemen said that the smoke and heat told them that it had been going for about 3 hours. Another 15 minutes and it would have been ‘a total loss’. If my mom had not attached the fire with the hose... it would have burnt to the ground before the firemen could get there.

Happy Birthday He-He

If you have read my tag line above you know I have a ‘Green Navy Corpsman’ brother. For those that don’t know, a ‘Green Corpsman’ means he has chosen to serve with the Marines. I think the worst part (best part for him) was he had to do through Marine boot camp right after Navy boot camp. So, he was in boot camp for like 25 weeks.

Anyway, today is his birthday. He’s 41 today. He is here, (on MySpace) stop by and wish him a happy day. If you don't have a MySpace account say it here, I'll be sure he sees it.

These pictures are of him in Iraq in 2005, he was there in Ramadi for a year. The 3rd pic is of him and my son at Nick’s MCRD graduation last year.

He's Gonna Be OK!!!

The missus and I rode up to Elkhart, Indiana Saturday. I had to see Dirtbike. He looked good, good color, big smile, hugs all around. DB’s wife is putting him under house arrest for something around a week once he gets out (should have been out Saturday afternoon). I know he’s gonna go stir crazy but it will be good for him. He needs to rest. He says he had a ‘very’ accelerated (over 200) heart rate for a couple days (I so wanted to smack the shit outta him) before he called his daughter to drive him to the hospital.

I cannot tell you how much good it did my spirit to see him, to see him hop up out of the bed and greet us. Not knowing what to expect gave me an incredible lump in my throat as we approached his room. It was great to see him.

I offered to keep the oil warm in his bike... he said there was a half dozen other guys that were in front of me and several that had offered to take the custom flamed fairing and saddle bags off his hands if the Dr’s said he couldn’t ride anymore. LOL!! I think he is actually worried about his bike getting miles without him.

All in all it was a good ride. We stopped in Kokomo and had a late breakfast at Cracker Barrel on the way up. Covered the 120+/- miles in a little over 2 hours. The ride home was a little more relaxed, took about 3 hours. All together we covered 300 miles.

I’m so glad he’s gonna be ok.

All Right, Everybody, Just STOP!!!

I used to marvel at ‘older’ people when they would comment ‘I’ve been to the funeral of 4 friends this year’ and wonder naively, wow, four friends die in less than a year. What happened to them? I know what happened, they got old!!

With the PGR I’ve made many friends, most older than me. We go to these missions (PGR word for funeral) and see each other, we hug and cry (yes, damn it, bikers cry) seeing the sacrifice a family has made. Some people you get close to, others you know by site only.

A friend’s husband died a little over a year ago, another friend I’ve blogged about here and here is fighting cancer, one PGR member and friend got killed riding his bike in Tennessee, another died in his sleep the first of the year and my blodfather got me started doing this by having a heart attack.

Now I find out almost a week after the fact, Dirtbike, (a.k.a Dirtbag, or Douchebag) has had a ‘heart event’ (his words) and has been in the hospital for about a week. He lives near the Michigan line and not seeing him for weeks is not uncommon but to find out he has been in the hospital for a week was like getting hit by a truck.

I want to leave work NOW and go kick his motherfuckingass for not telling me. I swear to God if that little shit says anything like “I didn’t want to bother you’... as soon as he is better, I’m gonna fucking kill him!!!

DirtBag and Me

So what am I saying... Everybody (PGR friends, work frineds, and bloging friends) just stop!! No more getting older, no more ‘heart events’ no more cancer, no more making me feel like there’s a bike parked on my chest. My heart can’t take it.