10/03/03 good mornin, just got back from a mission, but it weren't bad. hell only 112 today! and i seen the first clouds in 6 months, it was somethin. can you tell me when the run to somerville texas is? i heard so much about it im thinking of makin it next year. well you folks take care and once again thanx. PS. texas really does have the prettyest wimmen on earth. -john dean
8-28-03
i'm the one on the left.
the guy in the middle is michael and the tall
dufus (kidding) is phil
10/19/03 mornin, im not sure what happened yet but im back in the states. they packed us up thursday and we got back last night. man is it kinda weird. going from hell to heaven in such a short time. im really glad someone is doing something for those kids over there you cant even begin to imagine how they live from day to day. always feel so sorry for them. tell the folks thanks for thinking of them,they need some help from someone. -jdhogg
10/19/03 hi,yes theres still about 140,000 of us still there. we'll be there for the next 20 or so years.
I guess I was a little close to some mortar rounds, my hearing is all but gone but im hopeing its not perminant. I'll be down to texas in june please keep in touch, you folks are the best. I cant thank you enuff for the support you've given us. god bless you all -jd
1/13/04 I don’t gotta go back to iraq. I've lost too much of my hearing. but im gonna keep my name in the pot just incase they decide to send me. oh yes,I get to take vacation in june,yes yes yes. so char and I are thinkin of a trip to texas. I don’t need a passport do I? hehehehe (bike pic taken 1/2/04)
messages from Skid (Kuwait)...
11/18/03 Hi there, thanks for the e-mail. I am in Kuwait, working at a combat support hospital doing anesthesia for surgery. Fortunately for the kids we would have to work on, right now we are not busy, and i've personaly not seen to many of our guys hurt bad. I think its prob not like 'nam in that they arent hurt really bad, but with the cowardice of this enemy are killed straight up. dont know if thats a good thing or a bad thing ya know? anyhow, the e-mails from home are a real upper, and i appreciate it. thanks for turning me on to yer website, i plan on going back and spending some time there. ya'll keep it real, and the rubber side down. I will be back stateside in jan, and in mississippi every season is riding season, so im looking forward to backing my sled outta the shed, and getting on the road. til then...keep the guys over here in your prayers (esp. the kids) I dont have it that bad, i got a good old lady at home waiting for me but some of these kids really struggle with whats going on. -til im home/skid aka hulondo aka david
11/22/03 Good morning my brothers, Just a note to let you know everything is well over here. Morale is high but for most of these kids living conditions suck. Remember we are in many parts of the world right now, even if it doesn't get to the liberal media. There are troops deployed still in Afghanistan and throughout the middle east.
In some places it is short pants hot, and in other places they are freezing their gonads off, but what has impressed me about these young men and women is their attitude in the presence of continued hardships. The army(military in general) is organized confusion and long stretches of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror; but these youngsters are handling it with a nobility of spirit that can not be matched anywhere on the planet. Also keep in mind, that a huge chunk of these folks are not professional soldiers, but are reservists that have been pulled from their homes, jobs and loved ones to be over here. I speak daily to kids (cuz they really are) who have babies at home they haven't seen, and to individuals who haven't seen their spouse in almost two years, and their ability to adapt and perform is truly admirable. Remember this "war" only lasted for 90 days. Do keep them in your prayers, and in your hearts. -Major Hulon D. Clowers
messages from Radar (Bahrain)...
11/13/03 Im still here. Will be here until August unless the good Lord and Uncle Sam change their minds. Missing being in Gods Country (Texas) and having the opportunity and privelege to ride with my brothers and sisters and partake in the rallies. Really appreciate you taking the time out to think about me over here.
11/19/03 Thanks for the email, Bahrain is a small island located in the Persian Gulf just south of Iraq. I know that my kids will have grown and changed so much when I get home, but I know Im doing the right thing by them, Our Biker family, and our Nation by being here. Love and Respect, RADAR - G. F. F. G.
*Note : Much thanks to Cruiser for all the outstanding info he sends for this page... ~S&B
12/17/04A letter from Iraq - This letter is one that you normally don't see in the news - between two Army officers, one telling of the day to day contact with the enemy and how ruthless they are. Most people (mainly civilians) just probably don't understand since it does not immediately impact their daily life here in the States. Those however, like our WWI, WWII, Korean and most of all Vietnam Vets can relate to what is described below. These men and women are doing a great job with great sacrifice so that millions of Americans can sleep well at night. -Cruiser read this letter...
12/17/04The Heart of an American... about all the toys sent to Iraq for the children
You won't see this in the press. As former President Regan once said : "People go through life and wonder if they ever made a difference, U.S. Marines do not have that problem."
http://www.politics1.com/usmc.htm -Editor's Note: Politics "adopted" the 1st Battalion/23rd Marines - an infantry regiment of reservists from Texas and neighboring states deployed to Iraq in August 2004. Lt James Crabtree, a regular Politics1 reader, belongs to the battalion and he submits regular dispatches to us.
Pro Patria Mori (it is a great honor to fight and die for your country)
A Lakota Warrior, A USMC Hero ...
Date: 2/12/2006 - The tragic side of this war. A touching series of photos as the Lakota Indian Tribe buries one of their own warriors.. This was sent by Admiral Hal Koenig who is the retired US Navy Surgeon General. *Something you will not see on National News - see all the pictures here -> RockyMountainNews.com
message from Star (TX)...
8/2005 This is Gage Knightstep, son of Star.
Gage is a United States Marine on active duty right now, in Iraq.
Please keep him and his fellow Marine brothers in your prayers.
~~"STAR"~~
President Silk~N~Steel MC
Secretary/Treasurer DFW Region Texas COC
PFC. Travis W. Stevens (TX) ...
10/2005 This is Travis, son of our beautiful sister Shelly who lost her brave battle with cancer on Sept 13, 2004.
Marco, Shelly's soulmate & partner, continues to stand by Travis and made this cool graphic during his last leave in Oct '05.
We hope the good Lord protects this young man and all our young men who serve ... and bring them all safely home again.
We love ya Travis, and we'll be ready for your welcome home party... ~S&B
7/2006 Travis is home now and has a new wife. He starts a new job soon... but he's a changed man. We still see the old Travis in his eyes but we'l need to get to know him all over again now. Thanks for everyone's prayers to keep all of ourTroops safe... this is one more who came home unharmed. ~S&B
3-5-06Here’s a picture of me receiving the “Commanders Coin” this week from my boss, General John Abizaid.. He is my “big boss”, 4 Star Army General. Commander, United States Central Command (USCENTCOM).. I look forward to getting back home to see everyone and to ride the backroads & highways of the USA again..
Love, Loyalty & Respect,
RADAR ~ G.F.F.G., GYPSY MC ~ TAMPA BAY
3-6-06 - here's a sign you don't see everyday...
3-8-06 picture of me getting to promote my Marine from the rank of Corporal to the rank of Sergeant.
I have to admit that this was quite an honor for me. You will notice in the picture that I am the only Navy member. All others are USMC. Heh..you might also notice there is also a Navy Flag there next to the Stars & Bars and the Marine Corps flag…pretty cool. Good kid, I was very proud to that he asked me to participate in his promotion. Love and Respect, RADAR ~ G.F.F.G.
GYPSY MC ~ TAMPA BAY
3/10/06 A brief update on Marine Lcpl. Gage Knightstep. He is currently serving on Camp Fallujah in Iraq. He is an Amphibious Assault Vehicle driver with the United States Marine Corps. Hopefully if all goes as planned he will be returning to the US sometime in April and will deploy again in September. His unit has come under heavy fire and has been the victims of many IED's and roadside bombs as well as being mortared. The more they take, the less damage that is done to the Iraqi citizens. I would like to thank everyone for their messages of support and comforting words during his deployment. And a big thank you to those of you who sent him care packages! Funny how the smallest things mean so much to these young people in the desert!
~~"Star"~~ President, Silk-n-Steel MC
Secretary/Treasurer DFW Region Texas COC
message from Nathanial "Raider", Former U.S. Marine Corps.
Operation Iraqi Freedom Vet (1) 2003
3/27/06 I wanted to thank you all as a Iraqi Freedom Veteran of '03, for the support you give us on this website and when we step foot at home. The pain and and paths we have seen and taken are so much for us. I can't help but think of my first experience back in March of 2003 when I stepped foot into a war for the first time and how flashes of friends and family fly before my eyes. My country means as much to me as my family. And, for that, it is well worth fighting for. I have been home since November 2003 and honorably discharged since. At the time I missed my sons first birthday and was scared to come back home because all that I seen and went thru out in Iraq. But, upon coming home I was living in California. I received no appreciation except from the Viet-Nam vets themselves. When I moved out here to Texas a year later, I told a few people a bit of my past and the appreciation I received put tears in my eyes. I had a hard time wondering how to live as a father and a friend again. It took months for me to function with reality but, was able to maintain as a dad for my son and had raised my son alone until the time I moved out here to Texas. The hand shakes I get and the hugs that I get are a gift of relief of the pain some of us have to remember when we look at our own children. Thats why I am so proud of my life today. The fact that I can go about as I please without having to jump or sleep in fox holes or abandoned blown up buildings. At 27, I am still distant with friendships and only can relate to the biker world because of my families past and present and the patches I earned, ( upon my return from the war), with the Servants For Christ M/C a motorcycle ministry. I had to sell my precious Harley so I could be with someone special that I am now married to today. I miss the riding but, still chase behind and still flying my colours. As a former Marine I want to thank those Texans who have given me and countless other soldiers a new place to live in which I now call Texas. my home. Please, keep supporting us in all we do for this great and beautiful land we ride freely in everyday. We suffer alot and its not easy to just put away. My son and now 6 month old daughter, are my spirit of love towards others. "Cause when I came home I lost every emotion but to kill to stay alive and to help keep my brother safe while at the time of war. So, when you see us with our Marines, Army, Navy, and Air Force embolems on our cars, trucks, or bikes. Honk and wave. You see us just shake our hand, give a hug. Because thats what it takes to make us feel at home. Freedom is never free. Some of us have to lose our lives and our familes to understand that. Shake a Veterans hand and appreciate your children more and the ones closests to you. 'Cause you never know what you got until its gone. Families and children, as well as God, are truly a blessing. Thank you again for all the support on behalf of those that fight and those whom haven fallen for this country called America! And thank you Suds and Butterfly for you continuing web-site support towards us soldiers and bikers. God Bless. Semper Fidelis.
Nathaniel "Raider", Former U.S. Marine Corps.
Operation Iraqi Freedom Vet (1) 2003
Texas Rep. Servants For Christ SFCFFSFC
Trained to Serve Jesus!
nathanielraider@hotmail.com
Permited to publish if desired on your web-site!
more from Radar (Qatar)...
4/22/06 Surprise welcome - Marine steps off plane into embrace of family
By Michael Hines/Times Record News
Coming home from a war, Gage Knightstep said he's really looking forward to battle. With paint balls.
"Me and my friends are going to get together and play," he said. "Other than that, I'm just here to relax."
The Marine lance corporal returned to North Texas on Friday, an arrival complete with yellow ribbons tied to trees and two signs crafted by Hirschi High School's ROTC and the local Marine recruitment office.
The surprise welcome was the brainchild of his grandfather, Dave Fleming of Meridian, Miss. Unbeknownst to Gage Knightstep, Fleming had called Wichita Falls last week hoping someone could help him welcome his Marine grandson home. Fleming knew no one other than Gage Knightstep's family, but he wanted the homecoming to be a surprise. He happened to call a woman who knew Sherry Lindemann, the next door neighbor of Gage Knightstep's mother. The former Hirschi High School teacher had taught the homecoming Marine. She set the wheels in motion that led to the decorations. After a nine-day layover in North Carolina for debriefing, Gage Knightstep finally arrived Friday in Wichita Falls. (rest of story)
Sgt. Patricia Wilson (TX) ...
12/2006 This is Patricia, she has served in the USMC for the past 4 years & been in Camp Fallujah, Iraq for approximately the last 18 months. She returned home recently & is now serving in the USMC Reserves in Fort Worth, Texas. She is a Sargeant. Her MOS is Logistics. She is from here, Cleburne.
She frequently visits the clubhouse with us and is always a pleasure to be around........all of the Armadillo's are very proud of her and consider her "our" little Marine! We are very Proud of her! She has seen a lot of things that no one should ever have to see in their lifetime and has come out of it a wonderful young woman!
Thanks,
Deuce, Armadillo Cycle Club
A Very Special Prayer Request from our Troops in Baghdad.
4/27/2007 Was doing searches for a road trip I plan to take through the hill country when I come home on mid- tour leave in June when I happened upon this wesite. I am currently stationed at Camp Taji, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The support that you show on here is tremendous. It is always heartwarming to see such patriotism and support from back home. I know that much on the news these days is filled with how politicians think that this war is a lost cause. I can assure you that there are improvements being made in this country, both with the infrastructure and outwardly. More schools and hospitals have been built in Iraq in the last 5 years, than were in the previous 30 years is just one example of the progress being made. I just wish that the political agendas of some didn't overshadow that. But the support that is shown by this group of people here is one hell of a morale booster. Hope to run into ya'll on the road when I return.
