Been doing a lot of thinking as of late on where we start out... and where we end up. I am fortunate enough to have many of the friends I had when I was a kid. So when we start talking we have serious history behind us and can talk about each others dreams, original goals in life, where we started out in adulthood heading... and most of the time, however odd... where we ended up! It's almost laughable how little control we actually have on our destiny.
I was a normal kind of kid until one day that would help to shape my life that I didn't even know about at the time. I believe it was August in 1977. I would have been 20 if this date is correct. I was driving down the street and saw a funeral taking place for an Outlaw MC member named Roger Lyons in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There were 3 national guardsmen on every corner with M-16's From the funeral parlor on Bradley Rd in Brown Deer to the cemetery on 76th street and (I think) Burleigh Road. I saw the 4 or 5 hundred Outlaws ride by and was just moved by the steady stream of bikes.... I remember thinking how concerned the Police and National Guard looked. I followed a distance behind them with my Harley from 76th and Mill road to the cemetery. I watched the entire funeral from the fence line of the cemetery... and when they left there was one bike left by the grave, Roger's.
I researched in the paper to find out what had happened to him. It turns out that he was beat to death by the Milwaukee Police Department outside of a local bar. The Milwaukee Coroner said the cause of death was a heart attack but the Outlaws had the body sent to Philadelphia and their Coroner said the cause of death was a blow to the head with a blunt instrument such as a billy club or a bat. He was seen taken from the bar by the police unarmed. I remember the shirt that came out... it had a picture of a billy club, badge and cop hat and said "In Milwaukee... these can cause heart attacks". Funny but kind of not at the same time. The Outlaws still have a Roger Lyons Memorial Run every year on the week of his death.
Anyways this blog isn't about corrupt cops or Outlaws... it's about single events that change our lives forever. That day in 1977 I had no idea how much I was motivated by the things I saw. I was going out with my friends, dating Lori and Debbie (Hey they knew about each other). At the time I saw myself working in a factory the rest of my life, raising a family and living in Wisconsin. But fate would take me to Texas just a couple years later. I owned bikes off and on... sometimes it was just not in my budget with the kids and all to have one. I never forgot what I saw that day in 1977 though. I would now see the Bandidos off and on at various bike events and saw that Red and Gold 1%er patch and knew they were very similar to the Outlaws in that respect.
Later once Cliff my youngest was going into the Navy I decided to take the plunge and become a Bandido and they already knew me because I was in a support club. They made a handsome offer to several Amigo chapters and one of them was mine. I considered the offer with my Bandido Brothers for several days and jumped in with several of my Brothers... many stayed behind because it was a serious undertaking and could have major consequences. But that day in 1977 drove me to this point and I had to know... it was now or never and the rest is ancient history. Started out as a member and made it to President of my chapter within 5 years. Moved to Georgia and retired in good standings.
My whole point is how that one day unknowingly shaped my life more than I could ever imagine. It also influenced my kids life because they were subjected to it because I was a member. I have had an excellent life and would only change very little if I could... My kids are awesome, my life in general was amazing and fun... I can't imagine not having made that leap of faith into the club. Just as I can't imagine not having left when I did to take my Parents to Georgia. Some of the friendships I made will last my whole life time, I know that. The memories I have... well lets just say they are above any expectations I had for my life. Sometimes I find myself telling someone about a memory and think... I wonder if they can even fathom or believe what I'm saying depending on how well they may know me? Other times I can see they are thinking "No fuckin way"... so I'll get the pictures. lol Reality is a mother fucker when you can prove it!
Take a moment and think about the ONE or TWO things that had a major influence on your life's direction. Ask your self where you would be without that one event or one thing that happened. There is a song by Tammy Cochran called "Life Happened" that took me to this place today... I'll see if I can find a link to it or post it on here, maybe it will make you think about it too.
Peace my friends, Notso
Life Happened by Tammy Cochran:
http://youtu.be/F8rHJrXgm7Y
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