Greetings ALR Family!

I have wanted to ‘put pen to paper’ several times, but nothing really inspired me. I find inspiration comes at odd times. This time I was washing dishes. While washing dishes, I had a thought about our family. How proud I am to be a part of this family. How proud it makes me to be associated with the great things our family does. How there is not one chapter, not one member out there who is better than the other. We act as a equals. This is illustrated by when we get ‘2gether’. We all do great things out there, but when we are ‘2gether’, nothing else matters but our camaraderie and our like mindedness to our devotion to mutual helpfulness. This past weekend I was able to split my time between two events; the Area 3 Meeting at Chapter 221, Tehachapi and the Pig Roast hosted by Chapter 184, Redondo Beach.

I rode with my chapter and met with other chapters on the way to Chapter 221 Tehachapi. I was with family. I got to break bread with my family and talk with them. The jokes were endless as was our camaraderie. I was a little sad to leave the meeting early, as I would not get to spend the usual time I get to spend with them. That little bit of sadness quickly was gone as I left with some more of my family and headed to Chapter 184.

I headed out to 184 with my family. In short time we were riding ‘2gether’ as though we had been doing it forever. The subtle things you pick up while riding ‘2gether’; when to change lanes, when to slow down or speed up. We got to Chapter 184 and we were met by family, Joel Lopez, our past Area 4 Vice President. We went into the Post and we were met by family. It was a great time! Camaraderie and jokes were the order of the day. Talking about the upcoming West Coast Rally. Shaving my head for the Legacy Scholarship fund. It was a great time that did not last long enough for me. I have said  it once and I will continue to say it, I love getting out and visiting with my ALR Family!

With all of that said, I am looking forward to seeing those of you who are able to make it to the West Coast Rally. If you are unable to make it, that’s alright, I will see you when I am on the road. You are all the finest bunch of humans I get to hang out with. Thank you all for giving me the opportunity to serve you.

Be safe out there! I will see you on the road!

Mike Smith

Director

American Legion Riders

Department of California