NAM KNIGHTS DOG TAG CEREMONY

Jim Alderman was just 18 years old when he became a Marine back in September of 1966. Not long after that, in February of ’67, Jim was sent over to Vietnam where he served as a member of the 3rd Recon Battalion Charlie Company.
On the night of August 13th, 1967, during a mission in the A Shau Valley, near Khe Sanh, Vietnam, Jim was wounded in the wrist and chest by enemy fire. While being treated at the Charlie Company Medical Evac Center, Jim’s boots were cut off and tossed into a pile. Jim’s dog tags were laced into those boots.
After treatment, Jim returned to duty and explained to his sergeant what had happened and
said that he needed replacement dog tags. His sergeant ordered him back to the evac center to find his lost tags.
Returning to the center, Jim found a dozen soldier’s bodies, being prepared for their trip home, near the pile of discarded belongings, which had now grown to 6’ tall. Out of respect for the deceased, Jim said he just couldn’t bring himself to start digging into the pile of belongings, just to find his dog tags. Jim returned to his sergeant, telling him that his dog tags were gone and could not be retrieved.
Jim finished up his 13 month tour of duty in Vietnam and went on to be a drill instructor at Parris Island, his lost dog tags becoming a distant memory.
Fast forward to 2012 and Jim is now living in Kissimmee, Florida. His son Jon is surfing the internet and stumbles upon a website for the New Jersey Dog Tag Committee along with a listing for J. C. Alderman, USMC – Jim’s long lost dog tags had been found...

*Download Issue 33 - Page 19 to Read more and to see all photos

2012 Florida State Rally

Every year the Harley Owners Group holds a State Rally somewhere in the state of Florida.
This year the rally was held on October 31st thru November 3rd in Lake County – centered on the Mission Inn in the town of Howey-in-the-Hills.
What a great place for a motorcycle rally – miles and miles of beautiful two lane roads – many
with actual hills! You couldn’t have asked for better riding weather either – highs in the 70’s
and no rain.
Now normally a State HOG Rally is mostly a closed event for members and guests with a few
things open to the general public – a benefit of being a HOG member. Well this year was a little different, the rally partnered with several local cities to hold street parties that were open to everyone. This turned out to be a good deal for everyone involved – the cities brought in more people and rally attendees got more entertainment and activities...

*Download Issue 31 - See page 47 to Read More, page 48 for photos

6th Annual Cruisin' for Kids at St Jude's

St. Jude is unlike any other pediatric treatment and research facility. Discoveries made here have completely changed how the world treats children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. With research and patient care under one roof, St. Jude is where some of today's most gifted researchers are able to do science more quickly...

And what a great job was done by all Saturday November 3, 2012... At the 6th Annual Cruisin' for Kids at St Jude's. Mike, his wife Wanda (of Mike's Bikes), organize a really scenic and relaxing ride route. Then we chowed down on some really good food, supplied by “The Blue Roof Grill”. Owners, Angie and Chelsie whipped up some scrambled eggs, sausage, grits,
bread, tea, coffee, soda.... And it was pretty darn good. Real nice folks. Stop in and say hi to Angie and Chelsie when you get in the area.

*Download Issue 31 - See page 36 to Read More, page 37 for photos

HOG Thunder In The Hills ~ Howey-In-The-Hills Florida State Rally

October 30th thru November 3rd Thunder will roar in Lake County as the Florida State HOG
Rally returns to the hills. This years rally is different than rallies of the past because some of
the rally is open to all riders and the public.

Beginning Tuesday night October 30th Dan and the gang at the Hideaway are doing up a Free HOG Roast with all the fixins. The party will begin around 4 PM and end when it ends.



*Download Issue 30 - See page 8 to read more and see photos

Ridin With Johnnie

Nothing makes me smile more than getting up to the cooler mornings and riding my bike to the East coast. Tank put me a new five speed on“Lucille” my shovel and I doing 65+ and still got me one more gear!

We got up last Saturday and just before dawn we were on our way to St. Augustine. The first
stop we made was The American Legion on A1A just before the “Bridge of the Lions”.

Once we all got a morning leveler we were ready to proceed down the seaside to a fabulous restaurant “Finn’s”.
This place has a second story were you can have refreshments and look out over the awesome Atlantic Ocean.

*Download Issue 30 - See page 14 to Read More & see photos

The Beartooth (Montana)

...All American Road! Is heralded as one of the most scenic rides in the United States. The route features breathtaking views of the Absaroka and Bearthooth Mountains with high alpine plateaus dotted with countless glacial lakes, forested valleys, waterfalls and wildlife galore.

It provides access to Yellowstone National Park from Red Lodge or Chief Joseph highway which is another great ride in itself. The Beartooth passes through the highest most rugged areas in the lower 48 states. With 20 peaks reaching over 12,000 feet in elevation.

This was a ride of a lifetime for Push and I. We recommend you stay in Red Lodge Montana doing day rides all around the area. This is without a doubt a ride you will never forget.


*Download Issue 3 from our Archived Publications (page 7 to see all photo's.)