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The ‘hilarity’ of PTSD
In “Less important whining” (letter, Feb. 13)
the writer made a comment about post-traumatic stress disorder being a “joke”.
I would like to address that.
It’s true that PTSD is a joke, PTSD is the hilarious anguish that nearly ruined my Vietnam Veteran father’s life. PTSD is the comedic parade of the faces of those who died beside me or those who died at my hands, that keeps me awake at night. PTSD is the barking laughter of a back firing car that makes me jump. PTSD is the amused snicker of a piece of trash on the freeway that I swerve in a panic to avoid.
PTSD is the mocking guffaws that haunted whole generations of heroes before it was taken seriously. PTSD is the dark grimace that stains a young man’s face when he commits atrocities in the name of revenge. PTSD is the answer to the “knock-knock” joke when the person knocking is a frustrated service member fragging his leader. PTSD is the punch line of the highest suicide rate the Armed Forces has ever seen.
PTSD is the bemused snort of spouse who are afraid to wake their loved ones when they cry out in sleep. PTSD is the amused look on a child’s face when they ask “What’s Wrong With Daddy?” PTSD is the echoing laughter that haunts the alleyway where a homeless veteran freezes to death while crying out the names of those he left behind.
No, dear reader, PTSD is not a joke. The joke is any chain of command that would allow a noncommissioned officer who thinks PTSD is a joke, to lead and mentor soldiers. And it is not a funny joke: it’s one that ends with tears, a flag-draped casket, and one word “Why?’
SPC. Eric Catron
Camp Liberty, Iraq
It takes more to belong to a motorcycle club than filling out paperwork, paying dues, and putting on a patch. You have to be committed and support the club. You have to ride out of state on occasion. The members of a club become family. You do all you can to help your family. If your club member needs help, you need to be there without hesitation, worry, or fear--just do it. Always have your brother's back. It takes time and money, but you need to be ready, willing and able to do whatever it takes. That's why most people don't want to be part of a motorcycle club. They don't want to be committed or give the time. We don't want wannabe's, patch collectors, or people lacking commitment. We want brothers we can depend on who are willing to do for the club whatever needs to be done. If you aren't ready and willing to do this, don't sign up. Don't start to prospect and hope you will slide in because you will not be accepted. Don't waste your time or our's.
Remember the members of this club have something special. Not many Americans can be part of this club. We are an elite class of Veterans. We served our country when it wasn't very popular to do so! It didn't matter if we were in-country, supporting, or serving wherever our government wanted us. We did it with pride and commitment. I believe that is why the members of this club support the military 100%. We've been there, done that. We understand what the soldiers are going through. We pledge NEVER, NEVER, NEVER have them feel what we felt. When you wear the patch, you represent all of us. GIVE RESPECT AND GET RESPECT. Be an ass and get treated like an asshole. We are committed to the brotherhood of the VOVMC and ride for those who can't. Ride safe and be proud of who you are! We are looking for more Brothers so if you would like to join us..just click the Join Up Here page. We need to remember our Vietnam Brothers... Brother Wolf
"Copyrighted 2001-2008"
"WHEN ONE BLEEDS WE ALL BLEED"
International President; Brother Baron
VETERANS OF VIETNAM MC MISSION STATEMENT
The Veterans of Vietnam Motorcycle Club is a military veteran’s motorcycle club dedicated to maintaining the special friendships and associations developed by them during their service to our country in the Vietnam War era.
Our main mission is to support veteran’s charities, in whatever form, by means of personal involvement, either through volunteerism, or fundraising events. In particular, Veterans Hospitals and Veterans Nursing Homes are charities to which we hold special allegiance.
We offer qualified veterans a unique opportunity to continue to enjoy these friendships through the brotherhood of motorcycling. The threads that bind the fabric of the VoVMC are the respect for the sacrifices made by all veterans. As a motorcycle club, we are devoted to enhancing the image of motorcyclists, at the same time seeking to ensure that all veterans and their families have the opportunity to freely associate with one another, without fear for their safety and welfare. These are fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States.
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL YELLOW AND RED
Remember, NEVER AGAIN, WILL AMERICA TURN HER BACK ON HER HONORABLE MILITARY AND VETERANS. "Never again will one generation
of veterans abandon another."--Author Unknown
January 2012 News...
It's been a long and busy year. The 911 Freedom Rally. Over 2000 bikes in the Memorial Ride, 10,000 flags placed on the field, and over 10,000 visitors. Thanks to all in the club that helped out with this. It was a lot of work. We are already working on this year's Rally.
Pappy is back home for good. I hope to keep him busy this year, so as to keep him out of trouble. It's good to have him home safe and sound, and retired.
We're involved with the United Veterans Committee, and have a lot going on there with legislation for all veterans.
The US Defenders program here in Colorado has a lot on it's agenda for this year. One of the big items is: the Equal Access Bill that is going to be introduced this year. I don't know about you all, but I'm tired of being profiled for the clothing that I wear.
The following is a quote from the Northwest Harley Blog:
"Regardless of one’s stance on motorcycle clubs, rider associations, riding groups, or one-percent clubs, it’s nearly impossible to ignore the surging use of technology to reach out across the motorcycle base in the nation. In some instances, simple email proves useful for coordinating events, or the more sophisticated computer/cell/social networking/BB’s technology helps members interact and reach like-minded constituents, create grass-root initiatives and develop coordinated “calls to action.”
Such is the world of Bandido “Gimmi” Jimmy who is the National Commander for US Defenders, a grass root organization that helps educate motorcyclists on legislation strategies. This past weekend in a capacity filled WaCoC meeting, “Gimmi Jimmy” shared learning’s and presented concepts and ideas which have obtained legislative results elsewhere in the U.S. regardless of motorcycle club discipline or background. The Defenders program is about training constituents, developing strategies around letter writing campaigns, email campaigns, reaching out and touching (telephoning) state and national legislators and even canvassing motorcycle rally crowds who will then take that information/training back to their motorcycle clubs or riding groups to implement a motorcycle-centric “call-to-action” on biker legislation. The Defenders program is not a Motorcycle Rights Organization (MRO) such as the TMRA, TMRA II, ABATE, AIM, MRF and the AMA, but is manageable units of Motorcycle Clubs and Independent Riders manpower.
So, what does this really mean? Simply put, the Defenders are working cross-club i.e. Bandidos, Hells Angels, Gypsy Jokers, Mongols, independents, motorcycle riding groups/associations and women’s clubs for the improvement of motorcycling! They are helping energize grass root initiatives and providing methods for riders to protect rider rights from legislators who think it’s okay to indiscriminately tell us what to do…telling us what to THINK can’t be far behind, right?
There are some serious issues confronting the motorcycle community beyond the routine “drum beat” of helmet laws. For example; association rights, enhanced “affiliation” penalties, inattentive driver penalties, accident coverage, noise abatement, intellectual property rights, exhaust mandates, ordinances to eliminate rallies are just a few. Being organized to conduct legislative business in a professional way prevents misunderstanding or being marginalized on the sidelines while others do our thinking and make decisions."
If you want to get involved with grass root initiatives attend the next regional CoC meeting in your state or contact their offices. If you have questions concerning the US Defenders Program you can contact Defenders Lt. Commander, Companero Paul.
WORDS TO LIVE BY.
“A Patchholder will not discuss any club business whether it's about membership numbers, club goings on, or any member's personal information with anyone outside of the club. They understand that they are a Patchholder 24 hours a day whether or not they are wearing their colors. Everything they say or do in public can affect the club. They also understand that if they get out of line, that they are subject to be counseled for their own good and for that of the club. Wearing a patch is more than getting together for good times. It also means getting together for the other times, too. It constitutes a lot of work. It's committing themselves to a lifestyle in which they do not look for how their brothers or sisters can help them, but for ways that they can be of help to their brothers and sisters. They always look to give rather than to receive.
“They have the attitude that there are two types of people in the world: their brothers or sisters, and those who are a potential threat to the club. For this reason they will not discuss club related business, membership numbers, the club's movements, or personal information about their brothers or sisters with anyone outside the club. Anything that could possibly be used by anyone to piece together an informative picture of the club is a very serious security issue.”
Always be aware of the "Golden Rule" of conduct while traveling in club circles: If you give respect, you'll get respect. If you act with disrespect, then you'll be treated with the same.”
“Majority rules.”, “No member will go against anything the club has voted for and passed.”
“Absolutely no talking about Club business to persons outside the Club.”
“The tribe that showed compassion between its members could survive better than one that consisted of selfish individuals.”
“The modern teaching of personal rights (I have my rights and you are supposed to be tolerant of whatever I do) as opposed to personal cooperation, causes compassion to fall into disuse.”
Sincerely
Nite Train
National Meet 2009
One of our members somewhere
"About Vietnam...The tragedy, indeed the immorality of those years, was that for the first time in our history, our country and it's government failed to match the heroic sacrifices of our men in the field...This must never happen again."--President Ronald Reagan January 2012. Trivia of the Month...by Brother Nite Train - National Sec./Treas. If you know the answer to January's Trivia Question, please e-mail me at: 
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