VFWMG Unit 4-4149 - Activity Report - THUNDER FOR A BROTHER
The
best thing we can tell you is - if you missed this - you missed an amazing
event. What a success! With our Group members, Post members and the
Auxiliaries working night and day for a couple of months, we pulled it
off. The public got a first hand exprerience
of just what the VFW is all about. We had something for
everyone. We took good care of our children with bicycle safety
training and the Mobile I.D. Unit provided by the Midland Police
Department, instruction in fire safety, provided by the Midland Fire
Department, games, prizes, booths, provided by the Ladies Auxiliary and plenty of
food provided by the members of the VFWMG as well as local service
companies.
Anytime
you can get the support of the Police and Fire Department you've done
something.
Special
thanks to them for all their efforts toward the success of our event.
These
are the first group of children instructed by one of the MPD Carnival Riders in
bicycle safety.
Kevin
Davis, member of Unit 4 gives a ride to "Safety Pup" from the Police
Dept. The kids loved it !
Inside
the hall a bicycle, complete with safety equipment was given away to a child
every hour.
This
is just a few of those that worked tirelessly to give to the event's
success! An amazing group of folks.!!
As
we do at any ride, gathering or event, we PROMOTE, EDUCATE AND RECRUIT ! This event was no
different. Special thanks to Claudia Lewis, President of our Ladies
Auxiliary for sitting all day long and "taking care of
business". Every VFW Program was on display and
promoted. Donation cans were everywhere. The hall was full on
literature, application forms and Buddy Poppies. The public was
well informed. Good job, Claudia !
During
the day we recruited 3 new Post members and 5 new Auxiliary
members. We never pass up the opportunity to RECRUIT !
Programs on display. Questions
answered. Assistance given to Veterans.
AN AMAZING SUPRISE !! This
handsome young man (a Marine) attended the event and tracked down one of the
Ladies Auxiliary members to say a special "Thank You" for a care
package he received while serving in
From
the young Marine to this older WWII Veteran - they were all treated well.
This old gentleman came to us, "lost". He was fed,
entertained, hugged, danced with one of our ladies, and then carefully
given a ride home. VFW Post 4149 loves
our Veterans.
No
one anywhere cooks like a bunch of Veterans, right? Well, we fed a bunch
of folks, and no one complained, so that must mean something. Of course,
there was no charge, that might have had a little to
do with it, huh? There were donation cans out and people were
generous, they always are. Here's just a few of the pictures from the
cooking sights. Thank you to all of those who donated their time
and food to the event - you are the best and we really appreciate you.
Authentic
stagecoach provided by one of our advertiser and major contributors. Thank you Mel Kaufman.
Did
we can generous contributions? Thank you!!
There
was even entertainment provided for everyone's "dining
pleasure". Our very own "Kojak".
Another one donating time and expense to our cause. The look on his
face tells you what an amazing man he is. Thank you sooooooo
much !
Ok, here's the part you really want to see. The
motorcycles. They came from everywhere.
Riders came and supported us and had a really good time.
And
they just kept coming !
All
shapes and sizes - here is the infamous trike, or
affectionately known as the MUNSTER-MOBILE!
Even
"Papa Smurf" trike was there for the
perfect Kodak moment !
.
. . . and they just kept coming!
Did
we mention the games?
Place
the little ball on the little cone - sure - easy !!!!!
Yup
- for some people - Kojak and Leanne got em all !!
Great
picture - won't show you the ball/cone game - it was too pitiful.
However,
in the water/ball game, they made us proud !
Still lost, but they looked sooo good doing it!
Now
that technique - cheating, but very innovative !!
Can
you guess who won this game.
Let's
see just how SLOW you can go.
Oops,
missed showing you this one. Would you believe, the Post Commander
and his daughter-in-law, Lori, scored a whooping -0
in the ball/cone game. Of course, he called foul - too bad,
Commander!
Everyone
took their turn behind the wheel for the blindfolded obstacle course
race.
Of
course you have to have prizes for the winners!
And
then there is all the thank you's. Where
to start? Allow us this opportunity to express our appreciation
to all the people that have worked so diligently to accomplish this
gathering. It would take too many pages to name each of them, so
for all the movers and shakers, those that donated, cleaned, shopped, begged,
cooked, mowed, planned, showed up and stuck it out . . . THANK YOU . . . it is
a privilege and honor to serve with each one of you. Job
well done.
Mel
Kaufman of Payless Auto and Out West Ice was there for us anytime we ask, going
above and beyond. He added to the success and moreover the
fun! A million thanks, Mel.
Jay
Harrison secured a sizeable cash donation from his employer. Way to
go, Jay, we can always count on you.
And
then there were the auction items. To our members who gave, to the
area retailers and service companies, THANK YOU. A special thanks
to Midland Iron Works who made an amazing piece of art . . a
replica of the Permian Basin Vietnam Memorial Helicopter - BEAUTIFUL
! To Johnny at Jamz for the paint job -
good work.
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.
. . . and the list goes on.
When
all the activities done and the clean up finished, there was one more thing to
take care of. Our traditional memorial ride in memory
of our fallen brother, Gary Gill.
Please
notice how much the tree that was planted in his memory has grown.
Much like the size and enthusiasm of his band of brothers in
Unit 4.
We
gathered at the Post on Sunday morning and rode to the scene of the accident
where
We
gathered for a moment of silence and was lead in a memorial
prayer by our Chaplain. We found flowers had been placed near the cross
that we placed in the ground and atop it was a doo-rag;
perhaps placed there by a member of his family, a friend, or a passerby paying
respect. It is our sincere wish that the marking of the scene will
serve as a constant reminder of just how precious life is and
cause motorists to be more aware of vulnerable riders sharing the
road.
It
is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. The one below is
just that. Please notice the little child on her
tricycle. She participated in the safety obstacle course and was
loved at our Post. She is the reason we continue to strive to inform the
public of the importance of two-wheel safety.
Until
next year . . . please ride safely.