The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but
shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more,
but have less; we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and
smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees
but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more
problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little,
drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too
little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our
possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and
hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to
life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but
have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer
space but not inner space.
We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air,
but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.
We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less.
We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold
more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less
and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small
character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of
two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one
night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer,
to quiet, to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the
stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time
when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.
Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going
to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to
you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your
side.
Remember to give a warm hug to the one next to you because that is the only
treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember,
to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all
mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep
inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday
that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak
and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
Tags: Life Insight World
Police and firefighter bikers give aid By BECKY SHAY
Of The Gazette Staff
About 600 motorcyclists rode into Billings this week and left $4,000 in charitable contributions in their wake.
The Iron Warriors Motorcycle Club, whose members are in law enforcement and firefighting, held its national convention in Billings this week. During their national business meeting on Saturday at the Crowne Plaza, members gave checks to three local organizations and a family with medical expenses.
Giving back is part of what the Iron Warriors do, said Bob Beener, who is from Iowa and president of the Central Region.
"It's a goal to take care of our own and other local charities," Beener said.
The Beartooth Chapter, in Billings, supports families of fallen public service agency members in Montana and across the nation, while also supporting a variety of community organizations, Chris Simpson said. Simpson is president of the local chapter and a Billings policeman.
The group lets the host chapter select organizations and gives donations at each convention.
"You see what happens when the boys get together," he said.
This year's selections included groups that don't have high overhead and will keep the money local, Simpson said.
John Chevalier, of Memphis, said the members feel grateful to be able to give. He is president of the South Region.
"We're fortunate to be blessed to have some good charities here to help," Chevalier said.
This is the first time the Iron Warriors held their biannual national convention in Billings, Simpson said.
They held regional meetings, took care of some national business but mainly did a lot of riding and had a good time with friends, Simpson said.
The riders had a great stay in Billings, Chevalier said. Their rides included a trip over the Beartooth Highway and to the Little Bighorn Battlefield.
"It's been great," Chevalier said. "It's a beautiful part of the country. The views are breathtaking."
Gifts of $1,000 were given to:
• Carson Bruce Duray family - Carson's mom, Jennifer, works for the city of Billings, Simpson said. Carson, 4, died June 23 of acute myelogenous leukemia. The Iron Warriors planned to deliver a check to the family to help with medical expense.
• Big Sky Hospice - The money will be used for patient services, Supervisor Lori Buxbaum, R.N., said.
"The financial support is just wonderful for our patients," she said.
It is good to see the Iron Warriors enjoying themselves, she said.
"It's a wonderful way of having community with people they share common interests and common values with," she said.
•Laurel Hometown Troops - The group sends care packages, especially during the holidays, to troops.
"We'll have a nice Christmas," co-founder Cindy Burns said. "There will be lots of packages."
Since its inception, Laurel Hometown Troops has sent items to about 7,000 soldiers. The group sends boxes with items for 20 soldiers, Burns said. The Beartooth Chapter of Iron Warriors conducted a poker run and raised money for the group a few years ago.
"It just goes to show there's people out there who still care," Gene Burns said. "The soldiers might not be able to (directly) say thank you, but they're grateful, you know they are."
• Rocky Mountain Hospice - Community liaison C.J. Dahle said the money will go into a fund for patients who don't have financial assistance such as insurance, Medicaid or Medicare. The donation could be used to pay for patients' items such as groceries or utility bills, she said.
"These guys are awesome," Dahle said. "Under the tough leather facades, these men have huge hearts."
Mike Houston, who lives in the San Francisco Bay area and is secretary of the Western Region, helped write the by-aws for the Iron Warriors' national organization. The primary purpose of the convention is to take care of national business, he said. Because much of it is done between meetings on the phone and through e-mail, this weekend's session was done in about 90 minutes.
"That's the extent of conducting national business at a national meeting," Houston said.
The rest of the convention is important, too.
"We get together and have fun and reacquaint with people we don't get to see very often," he said.
If one doesn't look closely, the Iron Warriors look like a motorcycle gang.
When they ride in a group, their American-made motorcycles rumble. Everyone has a nickname and some of the members are big and burly. Guys who are usually clean-shaven at work have stubbly beards. Their short-sleeved shirts show tattoos that normally would be hidden from public view.
Houston has been riding motorcycles for 48 years and recalled a time when people would cross the street to avoid a group of riders - even when he was an Air Force officer.
"Don't draw conclusions about people by the way they look," Houston said.
With a close look at the Iron Warriors' black leather vests, the observer sees the badges from their professions or reads patches with public service themes and others that honor friends who have passed.
The Iron Warriors aren't wild, but they have a good time when they are together, Houston, a retired federal agent, said. "We're in a profession, especially law enforcement, where you carry guns, make arrests, people get killed, get injured in this profession," he said. "So there's a certain type of camaraderie just because of the profession."
Lots of people rode motorcycles before they started a law or fire profession, he said. There are many riders - Houston called them "dirty shirts" - who public safety professionals can't associate with because they might break laws while riding or just not watch each other's backs.
"There's the safety of riding with this group," he said.
We had the honor of spending some time with the Iron Warriors over the past weekend. What a great group of men & women! They take their jobs very seriously, but they genuinely enjoy their time away from work also. Thanks so much to all the folks who came in from so far away. We enjoyed visiting with each and every one of you, especially
Yeti, the great group from Miami & my buddy from Alabama with the straw hat. I hope our paths cross again soon! Cooter, thanks for the mention of the 9-11 Remembrance Run! We will be co-hosting the event again this year with the Iron Warriors Beartooth Chapter on Sunday, 9/9. We would love to have everyone in the Billings biker community participate! The ride serves 2 purposes: first, the private citizens, police, firefighters and emergency personnel lost in the 9/11 tragedy cannot be forgotten; secondly, the funds raised on the run are donated to the Iron Warriors’ fallen officer fund. We are adding a Saturday evening fundraiser at Yellowstone Valley Brewing, but don’t have a date set for that yet. Details should be out within the next two weeks. We’ll see you then! Sinamn President B.A.S.T.A.R.D.S.
