A word from Sergeant Paul Ehline's only son and fellow USMC vet, Lance Corporal Michael Ehline.
"There is nothing more important to the fabric of our nation than that of the service of our veterans. I know that personally. I was fortunate enough to serve alongside heroes in the United States Marine Corps. However, there is nothing I could have accomplished without my father, Sergeant Paul Ehline. He instilled in me the ethic of service above self and dedication. He brought that into the Corps-- and I did too.Losing a parent is hard enough. It is especially hard when that person is your idol. When your father taught you all that is worthwhile in the world. Taught you patriotism. Picked you up when you were down. Made sure that your head was screwed on correctly. I could go on, but I don't think I could convey even a percent of what my father meant to me in this-- or any article.Below Leatherneck's M/C will talk about my father's service-- both to the country and to my family. I want to honor his legacy in a way that will build up our fellow comrades in arms." Itinerary Of The First Ride (Subject to Changes):
Venue: Lytle Creek Firing Line Contact: Greg We have discussed the event and we are reserved for the 15th 0800. Additional information needs to be provided to firm up exact accommodations. http://www.lytlecreekrange.com/
07:00 Rally Point:
Shell Station:
Address: 3864 Sierra Ave, Fontana, CA 92336
07:30 KSU: (Kickstands Up)
11 Miles North on Sierra Ave to Range.
08:00:
Shooters Register.
Set Camp at assigned Range (everyone but shooters).
EZ-ups.
Tables, Chairs.
Coolers, Ice, Drinks.
09:00: Paul Ehline Memorial Service
Some Events: TBD But so far:
Words from Mad Dog President.
Words from Michael Ehline.
Words from Gunnery Sergeant Ryan Eskandary (MARSOC Ret.)
US Navy Chaplin Prayer and Benediction.
USMC Rifle Honor Guard Salute
Bagpipes, Bugler, Taps, Amazing Grace.
Rapid Fire 21 Gun Salute Downrange.
Presentation of Colors to Michael or His Mother (Leathernecks MC (LMCI)).
Presentation of USMC Colors to Michael (Leathernecks MC (LMCI)).
10:00: Open Range
Breakfast. Bacon, eggs, OJ, Coffee, assorted pastries.
Brotherhood.
1200: Dismissed
Other Information.
No shooter guests pay no fee to attend (Non-Leathernecks M/C must confirm with the range in advance on range fees)
Bagpiper services provided by Joel Daniel. Retired Gunny, 21 years Marine Band. (760-362-3996) marinesandpiper@yahoo.com
Currently, we have 25/27 shooters from Leathernecks M/C.
A Little More About Sergeant Paul Ehline.
Sergeant Paul Ehline, (USMC Ret.) might be the toughest man his son ever met. And Michael served with hundreds of them in and out of the Corps. It has been several months since Paul slipped the surly bonds of earth to his eternal service with his fellow comrades beyond in Valhalla. It was this difficult situation that led Michael Ehline back to the core principles in his life. Why Michael joined the Corps, why he got into law, and how Michael raised a family is all a direct result of Sergeant Paul Ehline and the Marines.
When a loved one dies-- especially after valiant service, you tend to suffer survivor's guilt. After all, Paul served our nation in a time of need and rose up during the Cold War. Why should such a hero perish while Michael is still in his debt? His country abandoned him and spat upon him when he returned from war. He suffered PTSD and died of cancer as a direct result of exposure to Agent Orange.
From Salesman To Vietnam Veteran.
Paul's legacy is one that Marines will always cherish. Moving to Southern California, where Paul's son grew up and now practices law, Paul became a model in his community. Able to sell newspaper subscriptions (or just about anything at all), he stood.
For example, Paul was the only guy in his high school with a 1963 candy-apple red convertible Corvette Stingray.
Of course, it had his favorite motor a Chevy 327. Paul paid cash for that car and often joked to Ford owners they should "put a Chevy in it." Paul Ehline was the youngest of four, a brawler and a rebel. His tenacity enabled him to excel at a number of skills, including art, mechanics, and fighting.
Despite enrolling in junior college, Paul was soon drafted into the U.S. Army. Upon reporting to the Army rally point, Paul protested. But Paul was not protesting like a commie, hippie traitor. No, Paul was angry he had been drafted but being drafted into the wrong branch.
Paul Ehline demanded to be transferred to the Marines because in his words: "Marines are the best."
His request was granted. So as a young man he was given the solemn responsibility of deploying to Vietnam as a hard-charging devil dog. He rose from private to sergeant as an 0848 quickly due to his natural intelligence and sense of duty.
What Units Did Sergeant Ehline Fight Alongside?
Paul Ehline was a Field Artillery Operations Chief (MOS 0848). But like most Marines in forward battle positions, the losses were so high, he filled secondary MOS billets and even those of officers. Sometimes he was utilized as a forward observer and rifleman outside the wire. He fought alongside Force Recon Marines and Montingards as a forward observer and passed out Bibles to the Mong. He did so while calling in airstrikes against Vietcong Positions. He was a badass!
According to his DD-214 Sergeant Ehline served in the following units:
3d Marines.
G Battery 3d Btn.
13th MarDiv FMF.
5th Mardiv FMF.
What Bases and Positions Did Sergeant Ehline Fight From?
Camp J.J. Carroll
DMZ.
Da Nang.
Gio Linh.
Rock Pile.
Con Thien.
Camlo and others.
He exemplified what the Marine Corps is all about. Most of all, his comrades and son will never stop admiring that about him. He served our nation in Vietnam for two years, volunteering to return for a second combat tour so he could get his men home to their mothers. He completed his task to the fullest, even under enemy fire and facing Agent Orange.
However, due to less understanding of mental health issues, Paul developed PTSD, as well as the precursors for cancer that later caused his passing from this earth due to Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. (Learn more about Paul Ehline here).
Life Lessons Learned About Paul Ehline.
His unique life circumstances and time in Vietnam led to a challenging life tempered by the joys and dedication of his life he gave each day. Despite the experience of war, bankruptcies, divorces, pain, depression, and more Paul was the man his son wanted to be.
The one thing Michael wishes he could take back-- for his sake and those around him was watching Paul suffer in his last years. The last six years saw cancer consistently reduce his standard of living and care. Even the treatments led to severe side effects and pain. However, Paul never abandoned his faith in Christ or the Corps. Continuing in the faith of Christianity, he was the most generous man Michael ever knew. He supported multiple organizations and the needy, even despite his own challenges.
As much as Paul Ehline loved this nation and the Marine Corps, he loved his son even more. He was close with his siblings, his in-laws, and his nephews and nieces. This earth will always cherish its time with him. Michael reached out to the Marine Corps Association and his friends at the Leatherneck's Motorcycle Club, Mad Dog Chapter, asking for a memorial fitting of such a dedicated Marine. And he got just that!
The Paul Ehline Annual Ride Against Service-Related Cancer and PTSD.
To honor Sergeant Ehline is no easy task. Nor should it be. The dedication and perseverance he showed in life is something that all Marines aspire to. And that is Leathernecks are working with community leaders and veterans of the Corps on an annual ride in his honor.
The roar of the motorcycle engine, lure of the road and smell of leather was strong in Melbourne’s west in the ’60s and ’70s.Now, the history of a western suburbs’ bikie club, the Angels, has been documented in a new book.Angels is an autobiographical account of life in the motorcycle club in the 1960s and ’70s, co-written by Altona couple, former member David King and historian Maureen Lane.Mr King was just 10 years old when he met one of the original members, Johnny Wilde, now living in Melton.Ms Lane said she felt it was important to preserve the history of the club, which at its peak boasted 305 members.“All the boys are getting old now and we didn’t want the Angels to be forgotten,” she said.“So, as a historian, I felt it was my duty to record it in some way.“We never meant for it to become available to the public – it was just going to be a book for the ex members of the bikie club.”But the book’s popularity grew through word of mouth, leading to more reprints.The Angels started hanging together about 1954, when Altona’s Cherry Lake was a race track and “Marlon Brando ‘wanna-bes’ flocked there in droves”.Later, Calder Park Raceway would be established in the Diggers Rest farming community, beginning as “a dirt track carved into a paddock by a group of like-minded, motoring enthusiasts wanting to create a place to race their FJ Holdens,” the book states.The Angels and the Vikings were two of Melbourne’s major clubs.Angels would meet at Williamstown beach or at Mama’s deli in Footscray or in one of the paddocks in Laverton where they would “party with the local ladies”.Mr King, who counted AC/DC’s Malcolm Young among his drinking mates, said he “loved everything” about riding with the Angels.“Just the freedom of riding and just having a good time with your mates,” he said.Members would attend the Sunbury Rock Festival held on a private farm between Sunbury and Diggers Rest on the Australia Day long weekend from 1972 to 1975.“Sunbury was an orgy of sex, drugs and rock and roll with near naked men and women ‘letting it all hang out’,” the book states, as it details members’ antics.Mr Wilde recalls in the book that alcohol was banned so a ‘modified’ keg of water was brought in by the club.“We had our own marquee at Sunbury – a tent set up for the Angels and for freeloading coppers.”As the teenagers grew into family men, they would hold their own festivals at Mr Wilde’s Mount Doran farm near Ballarat, raising money for sick children.“The biggest thing, I reckon, is your mateship,” Mr Wilde said. “Because you’ll be riding with a group of blokes that you trust with your life.“Always mates. Never ever was there an argument between anyone in the club, which is a bit rare.“No one had any bad words for anybody … like a big family.”Mr King would go on to join the army and become a chauffeur for Victoria’s governor Davis McCaughey, including during the presidential visit of George Bush Snr.When the completely separate Hells Angels appeared on the scene, the Angels were either patched over or retired.
A man on the look-out found his friend's stolen motorcycle and positively identified the culprit.
On July 6, Tahlequah Police Sgt. Qualls was dispatched to Nalley Road after a man reported he found his friend's stolen bike. David Murray said a Native American man with a neck tattoo was pushing the bike in the roadway, and he asked where he got it. The man claimed he got it from his friend, and became nervous when Murray said the bike looked like his friend's bike. Murray said the man pushed the bike off the roadway and took off running. Qualls had his K-9 partner, Ivo, track the scent of the suspect, but eventually lost it in a wooded area. Qualls took Murray's statement and released the recovered bike to the owner's brother. A short time later, Qualls was notified after the suspect was spotted on Nalley Road. Dustin Duvall matched the suspect's description and was detained while Qualls investigated. Duvall denied pushing a motorcycle and said he was walking home from a fishing trip at the river. Dispatch contacted Murray and had him respond to Qualls' location. Meanwhile, Duvall continued to deny he knew about a stolen motorcycle, and became upset. Murray positively identified Duvall as the man who was pushing the bike. Duvall accused Murray of lying. Duvall was taken to jail and booked for knowingly concealing stolen property.
On July 10, Officer Thomas Donnell was called to West Delaware Street in regard to a theft. Melissa Paden said her friend, Heather Wilson, was staying at her apartment for a few days. Paden said Wilson was supposed to take her to open a bank account in Broken Arrow, but she was missing from the apartment. Paden said someone went through her purse and $380 was missing. Donnell took Paden to her bank to get statements, since Wilson has possession of her debit card. As of July 10, Wilson had made a $1,020 transaction with Paden's card. Officer Randy Jordan noticed Wilson's car parked on Berry Street, and Donnell arrived there to speak with her. She said she threw away the debit card, and admitted to using it to make purchases. Donnell said the tag on the vehicle Wilson had didn't belong to the vehicle. Donnell found a loaded needle of methamphetamine in the center console and a container of marijuana in Wilson's purse. The officer also found a bag containing paraphernalia and marijuana in the dash. Wilson was taken to the detention center and booked for fraud, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia, and theft for stealing money.
OFF THE WIRE By: Nicki Skinner, Editor TAYLOR COUNTY—Bikers, grab your gear and head to Morgantown on Saturday, July 18, for a fundraising event that is sure to draw a crowd, as Bikers Against Child Abuse North Central West Virginia Chapter gets ready to let their engines roar. Each year, Bikers Against Child Abuse, or B.A.C.A., chapters around the world saddle up on a designated day to ride to bring awareness about their organization, as well as child abuse, during their 100 Mile Ride. This year’s event will include children’s games, a fire eater, basket raffles, a DJ and so much more! B.A.C.A., a non-profit organization, began in 1995, when John Paul “Chief” Lilly, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Registered Play Therapist/Supervisor, noticed gaps in the system when helping children suffering from abuse and neglect heal. “One of the main issues he noticed was the child’s safety,” noted North Central WV B.A.C.A. Member Sidewalk. “Law enforcement and prosecutors can only do so much when trying to protect a child, and let’s face it, there just aren’t enough officers to keep up with the growing numbers. So, that’s where B.A.C.A. comes in.” Chief noted that even with the court’s involvement to protect the children, perpetrators were continuing to contact the children causing more damage. He also saw that many children who have undergone abuse did not qualify for therapy funding, again, leaving a gap in their recovery process. Playing off the stigma surrounding bikers of the being strong, and sometimes intimidating, as well as experiencing the brotherhood amongst bikers and recalling his kind experiences with them, Chief began to rally that specific community to aid children in need. The first ride to visit wounded children and bring them into the biker family was held in 1995, with just 27 bikers present. Now, B.A.C.A. International, Inc. is present in 48 states and 17 countries, ensuring that abused children feel safe and accepted. It is B.A.C.A.’s mission to create a safer environment for abused children. The body of bikers pledge to empower children to not feel afraid of the world in which they live. “There are a lot of organization out there that will help to feed and provide clothing for abused children, but we focus on empowering them to overcome their negative experience,” voiced B.A.C.A. Member Belle. “We work closely with an area’s prosecutors, law enforcement, CASA organization, therapists or any other entity that is involved in the case, to ensure the children feel a sense of safety and empowerment.” Once it has been determined that a child is fearful of his or her environment, B.A.C.A. is contacted and two members geographically closest to the youth are assigned to the case. “We always work in twos,” Belle revealed. “It protects both the children and the bikers.” A chapter ride is held, where all the bikers make their way to the child, who is then initiated into the group and is given a road name, a vest and backpatch to symbolize that they are part of the B.A.C.A. family, and that is where the empowerment begins. “Once they are given their road name, we never use their legal name, as a way to protect them. The bikers are only called by their road names as well,” shared Belle. The child is then given the names and phone numbers of the two members assigned to him or her. They are told that anytime they feel scared or threatened, they can contact the bikers, who will go meet with the child and stand guard for as long as they are needed. B.A.C.A. members will also escort the children to court proceedings, therapy appointments, or act whenever they are called upon by the child. To become a member of the B.A.C.A. family, a biker must undergo and pass a federal background check. They are then subject to 12 months of trainings before they are introduced to children. “We are not biker gangs, we are a family of bikers who have a goal of protected children who have undergone abuse,” voiced Sidewalk. “We do not condone violence, but we will not allow anyone to intimidate or harm the children that we have welcomed into our family.” Anyone wishing to take part in the 100 Mile Ride is welcome to join. For those who don’t own a motorcycle but would like to get in on the fun and excitement, B.A.C.A. member Raven revealed that they have what they call cagers, those who take part in the event in a vehicle. Participants will be asked to pay a registration fee of $20 per rider and $15 per passenger. Registration begins at 10:00 a.m., followed by a blessing of the bikes at noon. There will activities for all ages during the event. The ride will begin at Triple S Harley Davidson, in Morgantown, and kickstands will go up at 12:30 p.m. Bikers will end their route at Mary’s Place, where they will enjoy a delicious meal, covered in the cost of registration. “This is our once-a-year fundraiser. We do not solicit for money throughout the year. All expenses the biker incurs, they cover 100 percent, whether it’s gas or maintenance for their bike, lodging or whatever. All the money that we raise goes directly to the children,” Belle disclosed. For more information about this unique group, please visit their webpage at www.bacaworld.org.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Gov. Mike Parson signed a bill into law that will ease helmet requirements for some motorcyclists.
HB 1963, sponsored by Rep. Travis Fitzwater, allows riders over 26 years of age with proof of health insurance to opt-out of using helmets once the law goes into effect on Aug. 28.
The bill saw opposition from a number of safety groups, including representatives for the National Safety Council and the National Association of the State Motorcycle Safety Administrators’ Policy and Research committee.
“The repeal of the all-rider helmet law will have ripple effects across the state of Missouri,” representatives for Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety said in a statement. “More riders will choose to leave their helmets at home, resulting in more unhelmeted motorcyclist fatalities and injuries. These preventable tragedies will in turn upend the lives of their families and increase health care costs for all Missourians. We hope this imprudent policy change will be reversed in the future and the state’s universal helmet requirement will be restored.”
The group’s statement also said when Michigan loosened helmet restrictions in 2012, fatalities involving non-helmeted riders quadrupled. The group also said the previous helmet requirements had been a part of Missouri law for 52 years.
The bill saw extensive debate before passing through both chambers on the final day of the legislative session.
The bill contains numerous other provisions relating to transportation, including special license plates, funding for the state’s Hyperloop testing track project, vehicle registration, licensing, Real I.D., and highways named for fallen law enforcement officers.
HB 1963 was one of nine signed by the governor on Tuesday, concluding the signing of bills from the 2020 legislative session. Other bills signed on Tuesday included one establishing the “Authorized Electronic Monitoring in Long-Term Care Facilities Act” and one expanding the definition of a service animal.
Here's something that will surprise no one: Biker gangs have secrets. What may be a shock is the type of secrets they keep. You would fully expect a leather lock-down of the location of the bodies of those two teenagers ... or the name of their meth connect in Reno.
But bikers have other secrets, some of them unexpected. These previously unearthed behind-the-scenes rules keep those MCs in line while they slop around in hog heaven. It's the only way to keep a bunch of lawless types in line and accountable to someone.
Bikers are thought of as having the ultimate amount of freedom - no job, no rules, nobody telling them what to do. But that is simply not true. They have jobs and rules like everybody else and if they aren't followed, bad things can happen. But don't tell anyone. Here are ten things the biker bad boys keep under wraps.
11
10Ownership Society
via The Gangster Report
The whole "Me Too" movement hasn't exactly made its way to biker culture yet. Perhaps, give it another hundred years. MCs actually consider women property, a tangible that can be shared or even given away without any thought to what it might do to the female in the equation. It is not uncommon for biker women to be passed around from rider to rider until they are used up and left somewhere to pick up the pieces of their broken life.
The patches on a MC member's vest tell a story. They let you know what club and chapter the wearer belongs to and whether or not they are still a pledge. But a more secretive system of numbered patches goes even deeper by letting others know that the wearer has committed certain acts. For instance, it is well-known that the number 13 signifies that the bearer likes taking drugs and (more than likely) also distributes them.
8These Outlaws Play By The Rules
via WBUR
Motorcycle clubs are very strict when it comes to their organizational structure. Much like a corporation, MCs operate under exacting rules and regulations meant to keep a bunch of outlaw-types in line. And it works. They have board meetings and follow the rules of succession. Older members are seen as wise and in most cases will have the final word. The military-like hierarchy is likely due to the fact that a high percentage of club members are veterans.
Motorcycle clubs were kick-started after WWII. Military men returning from the front lines found life in post-war America a little empty. They longed for that brotherhood and camaraderie that came with battle, as well as the military's penchant for strict rules and hierarchy. MCs became safe havens for veterans who couldn't easily integrate back into society after witnessing the horrors of war. And just like when you serve your country, club members are expected to follow orders.
What happens within an MC is nobody else's business. A patch-wearer knows all too well that he is not allowed to share with others the daily happenings of the club, or disseminate information regarding the structure or rules of the organization. Very bad things happen to those who disobey golden rule number one: you don't speak about the club with outsiders. This rule comes into greater importance when an MC is confronted with an investigation by law enforcement.
5Separation Anxiety
via Canberra Times
Much like "Hotel California," you can check out of an MC any time you like ... you just can never leave. Once that patch is sewn onto your back, you are in it for life (and possibly death). That means the motorcycle club is the center of your leather-vested universe, forever. Sure, you can "retire" from the gang and hit the shuffleboard courts, but you are still considered part of the pack, oxygen tank and all.
For the most part, outlaw bike clubs are segregated due to a long history of whites-only membership rules that most MCs employed. If a club has mostly white members, it is likely the case that it has ONLY white members. Racism and exclusion is baked into the MC legend, thanks to decades of strict adherence to what were societal norms back in the '50s and '60s. Mixed-race and non-white clubs do exist and thrive on the paved landscape, however they are the exception rather than the rule when it comes to a certain breed of biker.
3High Times And Misdemeanors
via New York Post
It would be easy to assume that outlaw biker types would be a bunch of drug-taking maniacs prowling the streets looking for trouble. How dare you. When it comes to drug use among MCs, to each his own, apparently. Some clubs forbid its members from using certain drugs. Others actually require drug ingestion as part of their unwritten rules. Either way, it is bad for business to be out in public looking sloppy wasted and drawing negative attention to the MC.
You would think that a bunch of greasy outlaw bikers would steer clear of anything having to do with court or the law. Actually, motorcycle clubs have no problem hiring attorneys and heading to court to protect their house or intellectual property. Hells Angels successfully sued Disney for using their name in the film Wild Hogs. One of the most famous recent cases saw the Mongols win a long-fought legal battle over the rights to their name.
1Order To The Chaos
via David Shankbone
Much like during a meeting of the board of directors of a corporation, motorcycle clubs also adhere to strict rules of order during discussions or meetings. Seniority plays a big part here, as does compartmentalizing tasks and information. Members are not free to speak their mind or even speak at all unless the organizational structure allows. Otherwise, things could get out of hand very quickly in a room full of violent alpha males with "Born To Lose" tattooed on their bulging biceps.
Sources: Thrillest, Riding Club Vs. MC, The Life of a Rider, Iron Skull Outlaw MC
