Blue Knights® Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club Great Lakes Regional Conference .

International Conference Representative

 
John Gordon

Marion Blue Racers Supporters of JTG Memorial Fund

The Marion Blue Racers are proud supporters of The John Travis Gordon Memorial "Eagle Scout" Scholarship.  The scholarship was started by John P.T. & Lois Gordon in the memory of John Travis Gordon, a law enforcement officer for the Upper Sanduscky Police Department. He was also a bailiff for the Marion County Common Pleas Court.  John was killed while he rode on his motorcycle on May 18, 2008 by a distracted driver who was texting.  He was 35 years old.

http://www.blueracersfootball.com/

Blue Knights Scholarship is due by the 01 June 2011

Visit our International Web Site to obtain these two files for your information and submission.

Mail-in Application	Scholarship Guidelines
Download Scholarship Application	Download Scholarship Guidelines

Dear Friends; This web page is designed to keep you informed of my activities as your GLRC International Representative.
You will find various Agenda Items that are posted here.

~ Please review them, and contact me with your position on these various issues ~

Please review the attached agenda document and let me know your opinion on any issues.

2012 January BOD Agenda Items

Aug 2011 Newsletter Submission

Dear Friends,

The International Convention is over, and a great time was had by most.  There were some problems, but there were few from the host chapter.  Most of the problems were with the host hotel.  Seems that after the Blue Knights Convention was booked and many members had made their rooms reservations, the hotel entered into a contract with a minor league professional football team.  We had members who had booked suites a year ago and had confirmation numbers, only to lose their suites to this football team.  It seems that the manager of the host hotel, and even the management of its chain, has the same ideals as many of our news media.  They appear to believe that sports personalities stand on a higher platform than the men and women who risk their lives for the communities in which they serve and live.    I hate to see anyone lose his or her job, but the league in which this team belonged went bankrupt while the Blue Knights were attending the convention.  Seems that is some justice in the world as the hotel is not likely to be paid anything for the suites in question.

My trip to and from the convention was for the most part very good.  Having just purchased a 2011 Can Am Spyder, I knew that I was in for a new adventure as this was my first trip riding it for any long length of time.  Traveling to the convention, Lois and I traveled with several members from Ohio III.  The navigator who chose the route found the curviest and hilliest roads in Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia. I was very impressed with how the Spyder took these curves and hills even while pulling a trailer.  The weather and the friends we were with made the trip there a real pleasure.  Many thanks for allowing us to tag along to Mike Poole, Peg & Luke Basham, and John Birkhimer.  The trip home was another story.  During the week Lois developed a health issue and rode home with Rich and Reida Bartley in their air-conditioned motor home.  I, on the other hand, rode home by myself, and the weather was an issue.  The heat on my two day ride home was almost unbearable.  I did make several stops along the way and not just for water.  I stopped in Washington D. C. to take advantage of some picture opportunities.  I took some pictures in front of the United State Capital building, the White House, and the Supreme Court.  While taking pictures in front of the Supreme Court and being parked in a “No Parking Zone,” one of the District’s Finest walked up, and we started talking about the Spyder and the Blue Knights.  This young man then asked if I would like my picture taken with the bike and the court in the background.  Leaving Washington I headed for Gettysburg, Pa.  With this year being the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, I knew that things would be happening there.  All in all, it was a good week away.

At the convention, I attended three meetings.  The first meeting I attended was the Board of Governors meeting on Monday morning.  The biggest news to come out of that meeting was the location for the 2013 International Convention.  The chapter in Hot Springs, Arkansas beat out the Memphis, Tennessee chapter and will be our hosts in two years.  For the second year in a row, a proposal was made to change the qualifications and eligibility requirements for the Special Fund.  I believe that this has not been approved due to the definition of who should be entitled to the fund.

For two years in a row, I have brought up that our children were left out of the proposal, and for the second time this proposal has failed. 

The next meeting was the General Membership meeting.  The items that drew the most interest was the Ratification of Resolution from the May 11, 2011 Board of Directors meeting.  In short the board voted to change the by-laws under section 3.16 which changes the dates for voting on the International officers, the counting of the ballots, and the swearing in of the newly-elected officers.  To overturn the boards May 11, 2011 decision, 180 members in attendance would need to vote against this Resolution.  The vote was 79 for and 141 against.  Therefore this by-law change stands.  The next Ratification of Resolution from the May 11, 2011 Board of Directors meeting dealt with changing the date for the Verification Committee to meet under section 3.24 of the by-laws.  Again, 180 votes were needed to overturn and the vote was 82 for and 124 against.  The by-law change stands as passed by the board.  I realize that these two votes do not add up to the same figure, but the count was deemed correct having counted twice on both issues.

My final meeting was the Board of Directors meeting, which was held on Tuesday morning.  There was a lot of business conducted during that meeting.  Proposal 2011-007, which was introduced by me, deals with Members-At-Large and this proposal was passed.  Proposal 2011-012 was introduced by Rio Grande and was also passed.  This deals with an insurance policy that every member will qualify for, at no cost to the member.  More information will be coming out on this issue in the near future.  The rest of the proposals were tabled.  The next meeting of the Board of Directors will be on October 12, at noon (EDT).

There will be some items of interest discussed at the upcoming GLRC meeting.  I hope you have plans to attend.

Riding With Pride, 

John P. T. Gordon

International Representative

Great Lakes Regional Conference

Every Mile I Ride Is For My Son

Save a Life, Don’t Text and Drive

July 2011 & International Convention Report

Dear Friends,

The International Convention is here, and I am happy to be attending.  I have only missed two or three in the last 28 years, and I am glad that this is not one of them.  The members of Virginia V have a packed agenda for those attending, and boredom should not be noticed during this week.  I look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones.  Recently I have met a few people on Facebook, and we have become FB friends.  I learned that some of them will be attending this convention, and I have really looked forward to meeting them in person.  There is nothing like Blue Knights friends.  Blue Knights friends are there for you, when ordinary people (even family members) are not.  I do not know who came up with the Blue Knights saying, “there are no strangers in the Blue Knights, only friends you have never met,” but after hearing the following story, you will see how true that saying actually is.

While many Blue Knights take their vacations to go to the convention, many more vacation away from the convention.  Two such couples met through the Blue Knights and have become true life-long friends. They plan vacations and their lives around each other family’s schedule.  The stories, pictures, and memories they share could fill a book.  These two couples are Mike and Rita Hornbrook, Indiana III, and Jim and Debbie Gebhart, Ohio III. 

This year they planned to vacation together in New Mexico, and sightsee for a few weeks while traveling to and from their destination.  On July 7, 2011, they made it to Memphis, TN.  They were on a four lane highway when the traffic in front of them started braking and swerving.  Lying in the third lane was the hood of a car.  Mike was able to swerve and avoid this debris, but Jim and Debbie were not so lucky.  Jim hit this hood at about 50 MPH.  Both were ejected from their Goldwing and received injuries.  Both were wearing their helmets, and I was told that Jim’s helmet saved his life.  Both were transported to the Memphis Regional Hospital which is the third-best trauma hospital in America. 

Immediately after arriving at the hospital, Mike gave me a call to tell me about the accident.  I then called a friend, Dan Moeser.  I asked him if he knew any Blue Knights from Memphis, and he said that the president of TN I was a good friend and that he would call him right away.  President James “Cat Daddy” Malone, of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department dropped everything and went to the hospital.  After 12 hours at the hospital, the medical staff determined that Jim and Debbie suffered bruises and road rash, and that there were no life-threatening injuries.  Between James and his vice-president Barbara Tolbert, Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, they offered hotel rooms, rides, and food. 

Following the accident, the totaled motorcycle and trailer had been taken to an impound lot.  On the evening of Friday, July 8^th, Jim wanted to get some luggage from the trailer, as they only had the clothing that they were wearing during the crash.  The impound company told them that they could not access the lot until Monday, July 11.  Barbara called the impound lot and after a small conversation (and something about a contract), the towing company happily opened their doors for Jim and Mike to get their personal items.  You have to love cops.  For Mike, Rita, Jim and Debbie, they now have two more life-long friends with Barbara and Cat Daddy, all because of “the Blue Knights.”  On behalf of the Great Lakes Conference, we would like to thank Barbara and James for the assistance in helping our four members from the GLRC.

On July 4, 2011, my 91 year-old Mother passed away.  I would like to thank all my Blue Knight friends who sent condolence notes and attended the funeral.  Your donations to The John T. Gordon Memorial Eagle Scout Scholarship Fund are truly appreciated. I would also like to give a special thank-you to the Rev. Richard Bartley (GLRC Chaplain) who presided over the service.  Oh behalf of the Gordon Family your friendship is truly valued.  Yes, we met Chappie and his wife Reida through the Blue Knights.

Speaking of The John T. Gordon Memorial Eagle Scout Scholarship Fund, I would like to say that we are in the middle of our second raffle.  This year we are raffling a laptop computer, $200, and $100 cash, all for the low price of $5.00.  I have plenty of tickets on hand.  Oh by the way, the laptop was donated by a friend of a Blue Knight.  John not only was he my son, but a regular Blue Knight member, and is now in Heaven One.

The next Great Lakes Regional Conference meeting will be on August 19 – 21, 2011, and will be held in Canton, Ohio.  Yes gentlemen, this is the home of the National Football Hall of Fame, and it is just one exit south of the hotel.  Ladies, we have not forgotten you, the National First Ladies' Library is in Canton too.  For more information, please visit the Great Lakes web-site.

On behalf of the Great Lakes Conference, I would like to bid you a safe trip home.

 Riding With Pride,
John P. T. Gordon
International Representative
Great Lakes Regional Conference

Every Mile I Ride Is For My Son
Don’t Text and Drive

July 2011 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes and Motions.

I trust I have all the corrected pages with the corrected document.

May 2011 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

March 2011 Charity Stats

April 2011 Charity Stats

May 2011 Report

Dear Friends,

I realize that you have become used to receiving your newsletter no later than the 10^th of the month and that this month it is a little late.  Please do not blame our secretary, as the tardiness is my fault.  So that you could have the latest information available from the International Board, Tom delayed this publication to give me time to attend the May 11^th meeting and write my report.  So without any further delay, here is the news.

To date the International has only received one scholarship application.  All of the information and the application can be obtained on the International web-site.  This is the second year that the Blue Knights have offered scholarships to the children and grandchildren of Blue Knights members.  We award up to five scholarships at the International Convention; however, the applicant and/or member do not need to be present.  Each scholarship is $1,000 each.  If you have a family member who is getting ready to attend college have them visit the web-site and get an application.  Chapter presidents, I ask that you get this information out to your members as soon as possible.  The deadline is June 1.  There is no guarantee of any extensions, so get the word out quickly.

Our Executive Director Bessie Small reminded the board that the deadline for this year’s sales permits is June 1^st.  If your chapter has any sales items that would require a sales permit, get your check and paperwork into the International office by June 1.  Bessie also advised that the inventory for vests is very low and that there may not be any at the International Convention sales room.  It is very possible that the next supply of vest will see an increase in price because the cost of leather has increased, and it will likely be passed along to the members.  We may be checking with another supplier to obtain a vest with the same quality yet to save the members some money.

Bob Seeyle, chairman of the Board of Directors, said that there are two chapters who have placed bids for the 2013 convention.  These chapters are located in Memphis, Tennessee, and Eureka Springs, Arkansas.  We will be voting on the convention location at the Board of Governors meeting on July 18, 2011.

make charitable donations to.  The biggest change in this policy is that no charity will receive a donation more than two years in a row.

The next International Board meeting will be on July 19, 2011, at the International Convention.  Agenda items must be turned into the International secretary by June 18, 2011.

I have attended several chapter meetings in the past couple of months, in addition to the first of several police memorials.  I will be a part of my local Fraternal Order of Police Memorial on May 25, 2011, as I am the local FOP Chaplain. 

As the National Law Enforcement Memorial Week looms, I want you to remember our lost brothers and sisters, as we walk that Thin-Blue Line.  I also want to remind our members to pray for our military members as they protect us from the World’s evil.  Please keep in mind all of the people who have lost everything with the flooding of the Mississippi River, as our brother and sister law enforcement officer have become victims also.  Finally, please remember our Blue Knights members who have transferred into Heaven One.  One week from today (May 18) will be the third anniversary of the passing of my Blue Knight son.  He was taken away from us while he rode his motorcycle to a texting driver.  Please tell your members to “Save A Life, Don’t Text and Drive.”

Riding With Pride, 
John P. T. Gordon
International Representative
Great Lakes Regional Conference

 Every Mile I Ride Is For My Son
Save a Life, Don’t Text and Drive

International Board Meeting 11 May 2011 - Agenda Items

Download the Agenda Here

Agenda Items To Be Voted On;

International Representative John Gordon's March Report

Dear Friends,

I would like to start my report by thanking our friends at Ohio VIII for hosting this wonderful week-end.  They say that there is nothing like southern hospitality; however, I beg to disagree. Those folks from the south will have to take a back seat to the members of the Great Lakes Conference because when it comes to hospitality, we are the pros.

As you know, the International elections were held this past January, and I would also like to thank the members of this conference for your hard work.  In 2008 only 27% of our conference voted.  However, this year we had a 36% increase, and 47% of our membership voted.  We placed third place by percentage; however, the two conferences with more percentage points have far less members than the GLRC.  As a result, the GLRC cast more votes than any other conference in the Blue Knights, and the Blue Knights re-elected a GLRC member as president. Congratulations President Bob Flanagan.    

The International Board has met three times this year.  The January meeting was surrounded by the ballot counting and the election of a new executive board.    I was honored to be present at the January meeting and to be representing this conference in person.  I traveled to Bangor with Richard “Chappie” Bartley and his wife Reida along with my wife Lois.  While I was in the board meeting, Chappie, Reida, and Lois were part of the ballot counting committee.  There was a long conversation on the way home about how efficient and organized the ballot counting process was.   Within a few days of my return to Ohio, the International Board received a series of e-mails requesting a recount of the ballots.  A Special Meeting was held.  Contrary to the by-laws the majority of the board determined to recount the tally sheets.  A recount was conducted, and as expected the tally sheet results were 100% accurate. 

The third meeting of the year was held last Saturday.  It is only my opinion, but I think you are getting your money’s worth from this International Rep as this last meeting lasted about 5 hours and 15 minutes.  I wish I could tell you that we were just doing a lot of BS-ing, but that was just not the case.  I will hit on the highlights of the meeting, so that Bill doesn’t ring my neck.  Did I mention that the January meeting lasted about 6 hours?

Here are the highlights of last Saturday’s meeting.  The International Convention will start on July 17, 2011 and will be held in Chesapeake, Virginia.  The host hotel and the two hotels that are within a short walk of the host hotel are sold out.  There is a new Wingate Hotel within a 5 minute walk, and there are still rooms available.  Their rates are $84.00 per night.  Vice-President D. J. Alveraz reminded the board that the 2010 dues cards are valid until April 30, 2011.   D.J. also advised that the Blue Knights Scholarship information for this year is available on the Blue Knights web-site.  Bessie Small advised that there are still about 100 renewal packets yet to do, and they should be done soon.  President Flanagan informed the board that he had visited the International office last month, and the office staff is very busy.  They get about 100 e-mails a day and many phone calls.  Most of the e-mails and phone calls pertain to by-law questions and membership issues or questions, all of which could be and should be handled at the conference level.  One member had a cause that was personal to him.  He wanted Bessie to forward his e-mail to the entire membership, all 20,000+ members, and then was upset when he learned that this could not be done.  So please friends, get with your state reps or this board before calling the International office, and let us have a shot at answering your questions.  I have been asked to remind our membership that any nomination for the Meritorious Service Awards needs to be into the Board of Governors no later than May 1, 2011.  May 1st is also the deadline for placing a bid to host the 2013 International Convention.  As it stands now, the Board of Governors has not received any bids.

At a recent meeting, there was discussion about paying the attorney bills and other expenses, which are in excess of $10,000 for the Mulford investigation.  A portion of the attorney’s bill involved a phone call with the attorney and former secretary Peter D. and a founding father, Wayne LaBree.  At the January meeting some of the board felt that these two members should pay for that call which was in excess of $466.00 and voted to bill these members.  After much discussion last week-end that motion and vote was overturned.  As a result, the bill was paid in full by the Blue Knights International.  Proposal 2011-03 regarding a dues increase was tabled.  Proposal 2011-04 regarding renewing by internet was tabled and sent to the Internet Committee.  Proposal 2011-05 regarding the expenses involving the recount was withdrawn by me.  Proposal 2011-06 regarding changing the wording of the by-laws section 1.04 (Colors) was tabled.

That brought us to the Good of the Order.  The board received another complaint from Bessie Small against Past-President Mulford for retaliation for the filing of the sexual harassment complaint.  This new complaint had been investigated and the results of the investigation were released to the board.  Past-President Mulford was given the first opportunity to address the board, and he advised that he would read a letter that he had written after talking with his attorney.  He was then asked to leave the call.  At that time the office staff, Bessie Small and Jana Clark, addressed the board, and then they were asked to leave the meeting.  The meeting then turned ugly.  It is a good thing that this was a phone conference, because it could have looked more like a WWF knockdown.  As you will see in the upcoming minutes of this meeting, there were several motions which were made and failed.  Starting with, having our new attorney hire an investigator to investigate the new complaint to removing Mr. Mulford from the Board of Directors.  A watered down motion was approved by the majority of the board which was to prohibit Mr. Mulford from having any contact with the office staff by any media and only the Headquarters Vice-Chairman was to have contact with the office staff.  I encourage you to read all of the minutes which are available in the members-only section. (of the International Web Site)

Recently in my hometown, we had a murder and three others were either shot or stabbed in an after-hours club.  It turns out that this shooting occurred in a 1%er biker clubhouse that the police department had little knowledge or intelligence about.  No arrest has been made, because nobody is talking.  The people that are talking have given false statements, and the bad guy(s) are being protected.  Use caution when dealing with the 1%er’s and the want-to-be 1%er’s. 

In closing I want to thank John Simmons of Ohio III for his generosity.  The raffle for the John T. Gordon Memorial Eagle Scout Scholarship Fund is back.  John contacted a friend who donated a laptop computer for this year’s raffle.  As you know, this scholarship fund honors the memory of my son and a fellow Blue Knight.  Stop up and see me for some tickets.  The drawing will be at the Summer GLRC.

Riding With Pride,
John P. T. Gordon
International Representative
Great Lakes Regional Conference

Every Mile I Ride Is For My Son
Save A Life, Don’t Text and Drive

International Representative Report - March 2011

Dear Friends;

The International Board of Directors has not conducted another meeting since my last report to the Great Lakes Conference membership, so I have little to report this month.  We do have a meeting scheduled for March 19, 2011, at noon EDT.  Following that meeting, I will publish my report.  It will be sent to the GLRC board, the State Representatives, and it will be posted on the web-site.

On my last report I stated that a Special Meeting was conducted on February 9, 2011, by the Board of Directors.  There had been a request to recount the ballots of the International election.  The board agreed to a recount of the tally sheets only.   Board of Governors Vice-Chairman Lon Strayer, Northeast Conference Chairman Mike Gratis, Frank McGillicuddy (Maine1) and Jay Durost (Maine 1 President) were appointed by President Bob Flanagan to conduct this recount.  By 10:45 AM, February 15, 2011, the recount of the tally sheets had been concluded, and it was discovered that NO human error had occurred.  The figures that had been reported to the board and the membership at the January 8, 2011, meeting in Bangor, Maine were 100% correct.  The newly-elected board has been confirmed. 

On a personal note, most of us have seen the battles between the legislature, and the public employees, in the States of Wisconsin and Ohio.  Seems that collective bargaining is on the chopping block and many livelihoods are at risk.  The topic that has received little press is that the State of Ohio is trying to become a part of the 21^st century by introducing a bill to ban texting and driving.  While you are attending the Spring GLRC in Cleveland, I caution you that many of the Cleveland suburbs have bans in place that prohibit texting and/or use of hand held devises while driving.

I look forward to seeing everybody at the Spring GLRC in Cleveland.  I understand that the International Board of Directors will be attending this week-end event.  I encourage you to attend and support your conference and the Blue Knights.  I wish you well and may your travels be safe.

Riding With Pride,
John P. T. Gordon

International Representative
Great Lakes Regional Conference

Every Mile I Ride Is For My Son
Save A Life, Don’t Text and Drive

International Board Meeting 19 Mar 2011 - Agenda Items

Download the Agenda Here

Agenda Items To Be Voted On;

Proposal Number:  2011-0003
Raise Annual Membership Fee allowances to $200.00 / member + $100.00 for Clubhouse Maintenance.

Proposal Number: 2011-0004
Have International H.Q. Email Excel Spreadsheets to Chapters for Renewals instead of by paper format.

Proposal Number: 2011-0005
To allow billing of members who request a recount where the election is under a certain percentage.

Proposal Number: 2011-0006
Update wording and time lines in Article I Sec. 1.04 reference chapter crests.

January 2011 Report

Dear Friends,

To you, my friends in the Great Lakes Regional Conference, I am wishing a Happy New Year.  I have already been blessed by being surrounded by friends this month.  It started on New Year’s Eve when I traveled to New Castle, Indiana, to spend the holiday with Blue Knight friends.  This party was started in Indiana many years ago by Dick Lear who was from Indiana III.  When Dick passed away last April, his wife Diana did not want this annual party to end, so it will continue for many years to come in Dick’s memory. 

My wife and I were on our way home from Indiana and just a few miles outside of Springfield, Ohio when the mostly sunny sky suddenly became painted with the most beautiful rainbow and was shining for all to see in the eastern sky.  I told my wife that it was very unusual to see a rainbow in Ohio during the month of January.  She agreed and took a few photographs of this rare sight.  About two miles down the road with the rainbow still in the sky, I looked to the right side of the road towards a beach park which I have always admired and saw an officer’s nightmare.  About 50 police cruisers and ambulances had their lights flashing at Enon Beach Trailer Park. I told my wife that something very bad must have happened there.  About 30 minutes later, I learned that Clark County Ohio Deputy Sheriff Suzanne Waughtel Hopper had been shot and killed.  I then thought about that rainbow.  It seemed like that rainbow was a sign that God was saying, “Welcome Home Suzanne.”  To the family and friends of Suzanne, the members of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, and the Blue Knights friends that Suzanne had known, I share in your loss and grief.  Suzanne may you rest-in-peace. 

The Inauguration of the newly elected Blue Knights International officers is complete and the officers have been sworn-in for their 2011 – 2012 term.  My congratulation goes out to these dedicated and honorable men who find they are leading this great organization for the next two years.  I was honored to represent the Great Lakes Conference at the Inauguration week-end.

Lois and I left Marion, Ohio on Wednesday, January 5, 2011, and then picked-up the GLRC Chaplain Richard (Chappie) Bartley and his wife Reida for our journey to Maine and the home of the Blue Knights.  Our first night we found ourselves in Hyde Park, New York which is the home of many historical locations including the Franklin D. Roosevelt home and museum and the Vanderbilt mansion.  This was a fun area and became even more fun when we found the “Bad Ass Coffee” house.  I have to admit that they had some bad ass coffee.  After we left this area, Chappie discovered that the home of the Orange County Choppers was within ten miles from where we had stayed.  Plans were made to return there on the way home. Thursday, we found ourselves in Portland, Maine and at the table of a $15.00 lobster dinner.  Friday afternoon we arrived at the Blue Knights International Office and were given a warm welcome by our office employees, Bessie Small and Jana Clark.  This was my first visit to the office, as the last two times I was in Bangor, the office was closed.  I encourage our membership to visit the office if you find yourselves in the Bangor area.

After checking into the hotel, we found ourselves at a very unique restaurant called Bugaboo Creek Steak House.  Joining us for dinner were Ann and Mike Gratis, Bessie and Greg Small, D. J. Alvarez, Mike Ripsch, and Chappie and Reida Bartley. It was a great dinner with very good friends. Following dinner we returned to the warm hospitality of Maine I and their hospitality room.

The next morning was the International Board Meeting.  President Dave Mulford opened the meeting and announced who would be serving on the Ballot Counting Committee.  The committee was chaired by Lon Strayer (BOG Vice-Chairman), Mike Rickard (BOG Treasurer), and Mike Gratis (NEC Chairman).  A total of forty members and Knight’s ladies counted ballots, including my wife, Chappie, and Reida.  While the ballots were being counted, the International Board continued with its meeting. My report on the meeting will be forthcoming.  About the time the board meeting was concluded which was about five hours long, the Ballot Counting Committee announced that the results were in.  Everybody gathered in the main ballroom for the reading.  Committee chairman, Lon Strayer, made the announcements.  The results are as follows:

PRES:                                                                                     VICE PRES:

Peter Domiziano - 1,928                                                                D J Alvarez - 4,257

Bob Flanagan - 2,577                                                       Pat Fox - 2,749                                                  

Dave Mulford - 2,495

TREAS:                                                                                  SEC:

Jerry Bryan- 3,618                                                            Jack Kaylor - 6,643

Russ Harper - 3,375

Saturday evening the banquet and swearing-in ceremony occurred.  DJ Alvarez and Jack Kaylor were the only newly-elected officers present.  Past International President Ellen Smit swore in DJ and Jack as witnessed by Past International Presidents Mike Ripsch, Frank Gennari, and Dave Mulford.  President Flanagan and Treasurer Bryan were sworn in via telephone.

Sunday morning arrived, and we were on our way home and in search of Orange County Choppers.  We found the showroom and gift shop about ten minutes before closing.  After getting a taste of what was inside plus learning that work on a new bike would be on-going in the shop on Monday, we decided to spend the night and return in the morning.  This place is a bike lover’s dream come true.  I encourage you to make this place a stop if you find yourself on I-84 in New York.  After shopping in their large store and seeing all of the display bikes, we set our course for West Point Military Academy which was just a short 17 miles from OCC.  At West Point one can literally feel the honor, tradition, and history in the walls of every building we visited.

Following our visit to West Point, it was time to make tracks back to Ohio.  We made it home just in time to welcome the latest winter storm.  We had a great time with good friends.  We enjoyed great food and if you are a Facebook member, just befriend Chappie, and you will see every meal.  My only wish to make this a better trip would have been for warmer weather, but who can complain when the only inclement weather we witnessed was in Bangor while we were inside.

When I sat down to write this report, I noticed a banner hanging on my wall that states, “Blue Knights International, Official Visit of International President Bob Flanagan, 2001 – 2002.”  I remember when Bob was the International President.  I hope that Bob and this new board will be able to quickly return this club to the roots for which this club was founded.  Our Founding Fathers had many things in common.  They were law enforcement officers who loved getting together and riding motorcycles, but there was more.  They had respect for each other, and they were friends.  They had an agenda, but it was not personal. Their purpose was to make the Blue Knights the best law enforcement motorcycle club in the world. 

Tom Peed, our GLRC Secretary is having surgery today, and I wish him a speedy recovery.  

In closing, the next time you see Chappie, ask him about Giggles.

Riding With Pride,

John P. T. Gordon
International Representative
Great Lakes Regional Conference

Every Mile I Ride Is For My Son
Save A Life, Don’t Text and Drive

BOD 8 Jan 2011 Meeting Agenda

Download here