A solider goes to war

A post from Manhattan, KS.
October 5, 2008


There’s not much motorcycle content in this post, other than to say that many miles on two wheels gives one the time to ponder, to wonder, and to prepare.

Today, Ms. Thug and I bid farewell and Godspeed to our younger son, Mickey as he deployed to a FOB (forward operating base) in Al-Mahmudiyah (kinda’ rhymes with “Mama Mia”), Iraq, about 30 km south of Baghdad. Mick’s older brother Eric, is already deployed in eastern Afghanistan on the Pakistan border. His cousin (Streets’ son) will be deployed to Afghanistan later this fall.

There wasn’t a room for rent for miles of Ft. Riley, as hundreds of families did what we did. A Kansas State home game didn’t help, either.

And in everyone’s mind was the question of “is this the last time we’ll ever see him or her?”. What happens if they are hurt? Who will notify me..and how? What if I’m not home to answer the door or take the call?

Every family is in for months of prayer and anxiety. Their hearts will jump every time a car door slams or the phone rings.

The news reports are the worst. While it’s understandable, in this day of imbedded reporters and cell phones, to have a communications block whenever a soldier is killed, but to read “Four Soldiers Killed in Iraq” without any further information really sucks.

Mick’s a 1LT, an Army Ranger, and is Company XO (executive officer) to 135 men. There are no women, as this is an infantry unit. I saw no fear in eyes of any of the men, just resolve. They know that there’s a good chance that they all won’t come back, but they really appeared focused on the mission they’re sent to accomplish. Each company has five lieutenants, four platoon leaders and an XO. One of the platoon leaders in Mick’s Company is the grandson of the owner of the Chicago Bears. Volunteers, all.

And how young they are. Not the John Wayne-types of WWII movies…just kids. Young moms and children saying good-bye, some for the first time, some for the last. Some tears now, some held in reserve for the next 12 months. They are going to fight an enemy who values death as much as we value life. As U2 wrote: “There’s no political solution..”, so all we can do is wait, pray, and hope until all our soldiers are home.

Thug

SEMA ahead

Dave and Kory will be off to SEMA Monday for the week. We shipped 3 bikes, the Vespa, and a surfboard. I am hoping that Kory will be reporting back with some pictures of the show. I am a little disapointed I couldnt' make it out to Vegas this year but we have some big things going on at home. Below is a couple of pictures of the Perewitz painted projects!

Perewitz Flathead

We recently finished a 37 Flathead. It came out really cool. Right now it is on its way to the SEMA show in Las Vegas. Kory and Dave will both be out there, hopefully reporting live! We also sent the Vespa and Tony Stewarts bike for the Dake display.

The Flathead will be back in a couple of weeks so make sure to stop by and check it out. It is also for sale!!! It could be yours!

Happy Halloween!

Thug's Scootah

A couple weeks ago Thug and Streets came up to get the scooter that Thug bought at the Fall Foliage Run. Before putting it in the trailer these experienced bikers decided to take it for a scoot! I guess there is something about scooters that everyone has to take them for a ride!

Below is also a picture of the Vespa we just finished! I will post more later on that!

I think these scooters will get a lot of miles on them!

Jesse taking the Vespa out!!

Another great one from BC!

Funny's!

An extremely modest man was in the hospital for a series of tests, the last of which had left his bodily systems extremely upset.
Upon making several false alarm trips to the bathroom, he decided the latest episode was another and stayed put. He suddenly filled his bed with diarrhea and was embarrassed beyond his ability to remain rational.
In a complete loss of composure he jumped out of bed, gathered up the bed sheets, and threw them out the hospital window.
A drunk was walking by the hospital when the sheets landed on him. He started yelling, cursing, and swinging his arms violently trying to get the unknown things off, and ended up with the soiled> sheets in a tangled pile at his feet.
As the drunk stood there, unsteady on his feet, staring down at the sheets, a hospital security guard, (barely containing his laughter), and who had watched the whole incident, walked up and asked,
"What the heck is going on here?"
The drunk, still staring down replied:
"I think I just beat the shit out of a ghost."
Happy Halloween