May Newsletter MIA It was with a heavy heart that I must report the theft of the May BoB newsletter. After putting in untold hours of slave labor on what was truly an amazing document of historical literary worth, some disrespectful scallywag swiped it before publication, no doubt to relabel it and sell as their original work to make the untold millions in royalties that would otherwise be due the selfless members of the Bikers of Baghdad. I knew something was afoot when news reports of rogue bands of geriatric hippies riding Vespa scooters were reported causing general havoc and vandalism in the Fort Campbell/Clarksville areas, and in the back of my mind I was anticipating some act of utter wanton destruction and thuggery from this group, but I never believed they would stoop so low. All is well however; I’ve enlisted the help of another group of riders, this time senior citizens riding their battery powered mobile chair scooters, to hunt down and pummel the incorrigible thieves. I have utmost confidence justice will be served because there’s nothing more deadly in the world than assisted living seniors on a mission of justice. Stay posted for the gory results of the manhunt. Errors, Omissions, Goofs My apologies if I have committed any errors in any of your member cards or names posted to the website or in the newsletter. If any errors are noted pleased notify me immediately and I will make the corrections. Such as: Omitted: James Lemon, new member in April 2006. Error: Chris Armato was misidentified as Army; he is in fact Marine Corps! Semper Fi!			Harleys in Baghdad It is with great pleasure that I ask you to welcome a very special new member of BoB: Steve Hartsuff.   Though Steve is a brand new member, what makes him special is that he sought out and purchased his first Harley-Davidson from a local Iraqi dealer in Baghdad (who knew there even was one!). Steve’s been working in Iraq since June 2004 and just celebrated his two-year anniversary in the sandbox this month.   Steve has performed what many could consider the ultimate “tour” by riding his scoot around various locales in the International Zone in Baghdad, including Camp Prosperity, the 14th of July Bridge, Gate 12, the PX, LZ Washington, and so on. What bolder statement of the American Dream than riding good old fashioned Milwaukee Iron around what used to be our enemy’s capital?   For our members still deployed if you see Steve in the IZ, stop and say “Hi” and shake the hands of yet another American hero!

 

	Member Profile:   Recently, Rod Smith and his wife Niki joined the BoB as honorary members. Big Rod is a former soldier and retired Akron, Ohio police officer, serving in the Detective Bureau and as a motorcycle officer. Niki is a staunch supporter of her family and proud of their accomplishments.   Their son Joe, served in the US Army here in Iraq in 2004. He was promoted to SGT just after returning to the real world.   Since SGT Smith’s return to Ohio, he graduated from the Summit County Sheriff’s Academy, placed 9th on the Ohio State Civil Service exam and is up for senior NCO leadership training in March of 2007.   SGT Smith was one of three new deputies chosen by Sheriff Drew Alexander for try outs for the Summit County SWAT. Sheriff Alexander’s SWAT serves the entire Summit County and is well respected throughout the State of Ohio.   The Smith’s daughter, Stacy is an elementary school educator and their oldest son Andy is a former sailor and currently a police officer for Belleview, Wa. He was awarded a medal for his part in saving a citizen from drowning in 2005.   “Family Smith“, are patriots and warriors for their country. Welcome to the Bikers of Baghdad Motorcycle Club and enjoy riding your Harleys this summer!!.   Tinman Vice President Bikers of Baghdad		Biker Humor: Honda:      A biker is riding a new motorcycle on the highway. While passing a car, he knocks on the window. The driver of the car opens the window and says, "Yes?" The bike responds, "Ever driven a Honda motorcycle?" The driver says, "No I haven't."      The biker drives on, until he sees the next car. While passing it, he knocks on the window. The driver of the car opens the window and says, "Yes?" The bike responds, "Ever driven a Honda motorcycle?" The driver says, "No I haven't."      Then, suddenly, there is a curve; the biker sees it too late. He crashes off the road into a ditch. A car stops and a man runs to the unlucky biker. Covered in blood and surely dying, the biker asks, "Ever driven a Honda motorcycle?"      The man replies, "Yes I have. I had a Honda for 20 years".      The biker asks, "Where are the brakes?" Albert Einstein:      Albert Einstein arrives at a dinner party. He introduces himself to the first person he sees and asks, "What's your IQ?" The man answers, "241." "That is wonderful!" says Albert. "We will talk about the Grand Unification Theory and the mysteries of the universe. We will have much to discuss!"      Next, Albert introduces himself to a woman and asks, "What's your IQ?" The lady answers, "144." "That is great!" responds Albert. "We can discuss politics and current affairs. We will have much to discuss!"      Albert goes to another person and asks, "What's your IQ?" The man answers, "51." Albert's face lights up as he exclaims, "So you're the one who rides the Harley parked out front!" Wearing your jacket backwards:      Two guys were roaring down the road on a motorcycle when the driver slowed up and pulled over. His leather jacket had a broken zipper, and he told his friend, "I can't drive anymore with the air hitting me in the chest like that." "Just put the jacket on backwards." His friend advised.      They continued down the road but around the next bend, they lost control and wiped out. A nearby farmer came upon the accident and ran to call the police. They asked him, "Are they showing any signs of life?"         "Well," the farmer explained, "the driver was until I turned his head around the right way!"

 

	Club News/Articles: We’re always looking for submissions of any news or subjects you want to get disseminated to the club. Any item is potentially worthy, especially news of members redeploying or engaged in ongoing operations in OIF. Additionally, info on members is always welcome, especially honorary members, as highlighted in this month’s Member’s Profile. Membership Expansion: Several requests have come our way to include veterans of Desert Shield/Desert Storm as full members. The point of this group was to recognize those who ride and have served on the War on Terror. Arguably this conflict started with Gulf War I so it is with distinct pleasure we recognize those veterans who apply with full membership. Member Cards: Folks, with the exception of the very newest BoB members everyone should have member cards. If you do not have it’s because either you haven’t submitted your address or because I’ve simply misplaced it and not sent it out, please let me know ASAP to correct any omission. Upcoming Rides: This is just a small list of rides that may be of interest to us all. If there’s any missed please let me know and I’ll add them. Calendar of Events Sturgis 2006 Sturgis, SD August 7-13 Cruiser Mecca! Sturgis Baghdad II Baghdad! Baby! 3rd week in August 2nd Annual provding a little bit of biker home in sunny baghdad 2006 Vander Clute Memorial Motorcycle Ride Reno, NV August 26 Active duty military ride for free! Cool Links: www.motorcycleevents.com www.rftw.org www.patriotguard.org		New Members: Please welcome the following new members of the BoB club (THIS MAKE TAKE SOME TIME!!!!!): James Lemon – Army – Iraq Adrian Green – Army – Iraq Renay Wilson – Navy – Iraq Stan Stanczyk – Corps of Engineers – Iraq Joseph Higgins – Army – Iraq Jason Chittum – Army – Iraq Korey Chandler – Army – Iraq Claude Freeman – IPLO – Iraq Joseph Giardino – US State Dept – Iraq Joe Trainor – Contractor – Iraq Jeffrey McClure – Army – Iraq Gary Lucey – IPLO – Iraq Troy Reddell – Air Force – Iraq Patrick McKelvey – Army – Iraq Jay Forsyth – Army – Iraq Lilla Powell – Army – Iraq James Thompson – IRMO – Iraq Robert Flores – Army – Kuwait George Marshall – IPLO – Iraq Ray Evans – Army – Iraq Charles Holleran – Army – Iraq Albertus Malan – Contractor – Iraq John Owen – Army – Iraq Shane Leiser – Air Force – Kuwait Bill Bock – Army – Iraq Kevin Hilmoe – Army – Iraq Jeremiah Larson – Army – Iraq Darrell Duzan – Army – Iraq Wayne Cherry – Army – Iraq Tim Velotta – Army – Iraq Connie Jenkins – US Dept of State – Iraq James Touchstone – Army – Israel Stephen Lundgren – Army – Iraq Russ Partridge – Contractor – Iraq Michael Herman – Corps of Engineers – Iraq Gerald Cushenberry – Air Force – Iraq Ruben Ocasio – DoD – Iraq Patrick O’Toole – Army – Iraq Duane Gaither – Contractor – Iraq Michael Hughes – IPLO – Iraq Pat Nolan – IPLO – Iraq Gary Ciprian – Marine Corps – Iraq Erhard Semmler – Army – Iraq Billy Wilson – Army – Iraq Christopher Cluck – Contractor – Iraq Ron Smith – Army – Iraq Susan Cluck – Honorary Member John Cushman – Army – Iraq Geno Bequette II – Army – Iraq Michael Gstalter – Army – Iraq Kathleen Gstalter – Honorary Member Matthew Burich – Army – Iraq Steve Hartsuff – Contractor – Iraq