Great Lakes Regional Conference

Great Lakes Regional Conference News:

Chairman’s Comments

July 19, 2008

Dear Friends,

This is the final letter that I will be writing as your Great Lakes Conference Chairman.  As I prepare to leave for the 2008 International Convention, I started to think about my past eight years as your vice-chairman and chairman.  I would like to thank you for all the support you have given this board and me.

Many things have happened over the past eight years, and I would like highlight only a few.  The Great Lakes Conference has hosted the past two International Conventions.  Milwaukee’s chapter (Wisconsin VI) did such a wonderful job that they set the standard for all future conventions.  I am sure that our friends at Illinois I (Peoria) will follow suit and make this a memorable week.  Far too many people joined the Blue Knights chapter Heaven I.  Two of those are: the Great Lakes Conference Secretary John “Salty” Long, and my son John Travis Gordon from Ohio XVIII.  Finally, in-coming Great Lakes Conference Vice-Chairman Bill Haylett (NY V) has totalled two motorcycles and has lived to tell about it.

Elections are just around the corner and only one Great Lakes Conference member will be seeking your support for his bid as the next Blue Knights International Treasurer.  He is Ohio XVII’s own, Bob Flanagan.  There are not too many Blue Knights positions that Bob has not been involved.  He has been the president of Ohio XVII, the Great Lakes Conference vice chairman and chairman; the Board-of-Governors vice chairman and chairman; the International vice-president and president.  Bob has remained knowledgeable of current events within the Blue Knights as the last six years his wife Connie has been on the International board as vice-president, president, and past-president.  I believe Bob to be the most qualified candidate for that position and will make this organization stronger.  I encourage you to vote and to support Bob in his quest

Your new board will be taking office at the Summer GLRC which will be held in Wisconsin Dells on August 23, 2008.  The new board will be: Chairman Bill Drees; Vice-chairman Bill Haylett; Secretary Treasurer Dennis Hafeman and I will be you GLRC International Representative.  This board’s election is unopposed.  We thank you for your vote of confidence, and I am sure that you will be proud of the direction your new board will take this conference.  

Finally, I would like to thank Dennis Hafeman.  Dennis volunteered (or was volunteered) to fill in as the Great Lakes Conference Secretary when John “Salty” Long lost his battle to cancer.  Dennis kept this Conference on its feet and informed us without missing a beat.  He also remained the Wisconsin State Rep. and although he is a young man, it shows how committed he is to this conference and organization.

In closing, I would like to leave the membership with these thoughts.  The Blue Knights is a not just an organization made up of police officers who love to ride motorcycles.  The Blue Knights is a “family” organization with “family members” who love to ride motorcycles.  I emphasize the word “family” for many reasons.  Sometimes our “family” imitates the phrases that made Jeff Foxworthy famous, “You might be a Redneck if…”

It is hard for me to understand why we as professional law enforcement officers, feel that we always have to “get even” with somebody for some simple words.  Are we that shallow?  How many times did we hear our mothers call our fathers unkind names when we were growing up.  But they still kissed, made-up, and forgave one another which is what “families” do.

Hatred and racism have no place in this family, and I agree that these people should be shown a different road to take and divorced from this family.  When a fellow law enforcement officer has been killed in the “line of duty,” why do we all get notified and search for those responsible for this senseless crime?   The simple answer is that the fallen officer is a member of a unique “law enforcement family”, where few are admitted.  How many times have you stood “at attention and saluted” at a fellow law enforcement officers funeral?  How many of those fallen officers did you not know?  Do you remember how you felt during the 21-gun salute and when “Taps” echoed throughout the cemetery?  Did you consider him a member of that “Thin Blue Line”, a law enforcement officer, a brother, a friend who you never met, or a member of that unique law enforcement family?  

My guess would be that you did, just as I have done far too many times.   I recently witnessed the true meaning of “the Blue Knights family”, when I lost my son to an accident on his motorcycle just two short months ago.  As many as 100 Blue Knights “family” members attended his calling hours and funeral.  There were several of these Blue Knights that I have never met but will not forget.  I will never forget how I felt when “family” paid their respects.  When I think of the petty bickering and name-calling that has been going on in this family, all I can see is hurt.  Not just hurting the feelings of the members, but the organization as a whole.   I think it is time that we stand side-by-side and support one another as families do.

Sincerely,

John & Lois Gordon
 

Memorial Contributions can be made to John Gordon (Jr) children's education fund:
The Ohio State Bank, 111 S. Main St., Marion, OH 43302

Friends may leave condolences for John and his family at:
www.gunderhallandfolk.com

Vice Chairman's Comments

Last week I was all excited about getting the bike out and going for a ride but living in central Wisconsin I guess it was just a dream. We got hit with another snowstorm just when things were starting to melt. We now have over 100 inches but less than Upper Michigan. Talking to Bill Haylett in New York, he’s almost in the same boat. It is easier to plough the snow than handle the floods in Illinois, Indiana or Ohio though. What a winter! Hopefully by the time you read this newsletter you will have some riding time in.

The weather may not be cooperating but it hasn’t dampened the spirits of the Blue Knights. We have starter kits going out in Ontario, Michigan, Wisconsin and possibly in Illinois. This is good news. Along with new chapters starting, many chapters are recruiting new members. If your chapter has a few new members’ please fill out a Traveling Recruitment Award form and send it to me. We also have G.L.R.C. Traveler pin for those adventurous members.

I know many chapters have had elections and new officers were elected. Please notify Dennis of any changes in officers, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. One of the most labour intensive parts of being the Secretary is keeping up with the changes especially when you don’t get notified. It’s frustrating when newsletters are returned or members say “nobody told me that”. By the way, the way to contact me by email is: BillDrees@BlueKnights.org.

Ride with Pride
Bill Drees
Vice Chairman
Great Lakes Regional Conference

 From Your Acting Secretary

July 2008

Well, the 34th Annual Blue Knights International Convention is just around the corner! It looks like our Brother and Sister Blue Knights of ILL I have a fun filled week in store for us. Here’s the latest addition to the program: International Honorary Erik Estrada, the iconic star of CHIPS, will be present during the early part of the week for photo ops and to sign autographs! All money raised from this special appearance will be equally split between Erik’s charity and ours. So dust off your old “Ponch” costume, polish up the bike, and get a once in a lifetime photo with Erik Estrada. Who knows, maybe this could inspire an 80’s themed future convention. All I need is a long blonde wig and I could go as Kevin Sorbo in “Hercules, the Declining Years.” I seem to recall something in that myth about a golden girdle…

On Monday, July 21, 2008, at 9:00 AM the annual Board of Governors meeting will be held at the International Convention. According to their agenda only one item will be coming up for voting, that being 2008-04. This proposal is in regards to increasing the amount of money conferences (such as the MWRC and UK) receive for membership under 1,200 members. I urge all you chapter presidents to take a look at this proposal on the International web site. You can find it under the “member’s only” section. A poll will also be taken regarding allowing all members into the BOG meeting in the future. Remember, this is also the day that elections take place for the BOG officers. Four of our GLRC members are seeking office, so make sure your chapter has representation at the BOG, and support our fellow conference members. Lastly, Montana I (Billings) and Virginia V (Chesapeake) will be putting on their bids to host the 2010 International Convention, so poll your chapters and see where they’d like to go in 2010.

And as long as I’m on the subject of conventions, I want to assure all of you that the 2008 Summer GLRC is in absolutely no danger of being cancelled due to the recent flooding in Wisconsin. WI XVIII President Jody Ward has assured me that the host hotel (Chula Vista) has suffered no damage from the floods, and the only noticeable effect of the flooding has been the draining of Lake Delton. However, Jody tells me that the lake, now a mud flat, is an even greater attraction than when it had water! This was pretty extreme of the boys from WI XVIII, but they sure proved that the Wisconsin Dells is America’s Water Park! But seriously, the area is just fine and the members of WI XVIII are more than ready to host the 2008 Summer GLRC. Registration forms and further information can be found on their web site: www.dellsblueknights.com. With great riding, excellent area dining, and every diversion imaginable, this GLRC promises to be one for the history books. So get your registrations in and come enjoy the party!!!

Ride with Pride,

“Wrongway” Dennis Hafeman
Acting GLRC Secretary/Treasurer

The above chart reflects 2008 GLRC dues paid as of July 7, 2008.  If you have not paid your GLRC dues for this year, please get them in to me as soon as possible.  Your dues help the conference pay for such things as charitable donations and awards, and helps offset the tremendous cost of postage, copies and office supplies necessary for the monthly newsletter.  Chapters in arrears are unable to vote at the GLRC.  Non-payment of dues will carry over to the next calendar year, so don’t think you’ll be off the hook if you don’t pay for 2008. 

Send you GLRC dues to me at:  Dennis Hafeman

                                                    4713 W. Wilbur Av.

                                                   Milwaukee, WI  53220

Remember, they’re only a measly $20 for an entire year!  It’s a small price to pay to stay informed and represented.    

“Wrongway” Dennis Hafeman
Acting GLRC Secretary/Treasurer
 

Our Pastors Comments

January / February 08 Update

Village Grace Mission Center

"Touching Hearts - One At A Time"

www.villagegrace.org

3561 Independence Rd Cleveland Oh 44105

216-341-2419

I would like to start this update out with a very humble thanks to all who have supported Village Grace over the years and to those who participated in the Treasure Box Christmas Gift Program again this year. Reida and I are so amazed how this simple gesture of Christ’s love is touching so many individuals. This was the twelfth year of the program that we have been involved in that started with the Macedonia Grace Brethren Church. As we look back on this program we have seen 11,947 children in the inner city of Cleveland touched by you and your friends. It is hard for me to believe that you and your friends donated almost $360,000 in cash and necessity items for these under resourced children.

Unfortunately even though we can raise that kind of money at Christmas we finished 2007 with a $2800 deficit. We spent $42,000 on facility expenses and program expenses but only raised $39,200. Please pray that the individual donations will return to pre-Katrina days. $42k operating expenses is a good return on your investment. Lives are being changed and people are finding hope in Christ through the Mission Center. An example was, last week we met a woman that we helped out last year with counselling, food and clothes for her and her children after her husband left her. She came to the worship services for about three weeks and we helped find her a job on second shift but this prevented her from attending worship services. Shortly thereafter was when our picnic table was stolen and a few days later a different one appeared in our yard. We never knew why or how until this meeting. It seems that this lady got a neighbour to help her move HER picnic table to the Centers side lot after she heard that ours was stolen. I thanked her but asked would she do that – her response was you helped me and then I felt that I needed to help you. She has now accepted Christ and is attending a local Bible teaching church on Sunday with her children because of the help from Village Grace. She said that if we have Sunday service she would attend.

Community meals went very well this quarter – December meal was sponsored by some of the staff at the Veterans Hospital in Brecksville and blessed 116 neighbours, the January meal was sponsored by Southern-Hills and 102 in the community dined on great chilli, February meal was sponsored by a Solon connection group from Macedonia Grace that served lasagne to 130 under resourced neighbours in the community. This month we have two volunteers to fed the community both second and the last Saturdays. Our prayers are that the program expands to two meals a month for the rest of the year. Please pray that we can raise the $2000 needed to finish the kitchenette in the church to help facilitate the meal preparation. That way we will have enough space to heat the food right in the church. This last Saturday Southern-Hills men came and helped us insulate and  hang dry wall on the ceiling of the room the kitchenette is going in. What a help!! 3 hours and they were finished. A big thanks goes to Mike Stern for his support. They are coming back in May to help us with the final room’s ceiling.

Youth Director Jeremy Pfeister and his wife Kateria will be moving to Houston Texas at the end of the month due to requirements of his employment. Reida and I will miss them tremendously. They have been a real blessing to all. We are prayerful that God will raise up a few volunteers with a heart for the city to volunteer just two hours a month to help continue the programs at Village Grace.

 Needs: 

1. Food and Candy for Easter - We need to purchase 15 hams and fill 36 Easter baskets for the children by our worship service on March 18
2. Camperships – We have raised enough money to send two children to youth camp at Beulah Beach – We have at least 13 children that would benefit from this experience.
3. Prayer – For people to step up and help with the programs at Village Grace.
4. Prayer- For funds to be increased to cover programs
5. Prayer- For groups to see the need to volunteer to host a community meal 
6. Prayer- A volunteer to help with the web site
7. Prayer- For mentors to work with the neighbourhood children, With Christ's Love,

 Rich and Reida Bartley

 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us.

Chappie...