San Antonio Firefighters Motorcycle Club

SAFFMC on Great Day SA

Thank you, Thank you, Thank You!

Hello and a big thanks to everyone for your help and support on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. We had a great turnout and this year had a little food left over. That's better than running short. We owe a big debt of gratitude to the Cadet class that helped us out, their presence made a big difference in the outcome of our fundraiser.

The money counted after the fundraiser is over $11,000 which is what we gave TBSS last year. This year we are hoping to match that or better it. We still have some outstanding ticket money that I hope will be coming in. That will bump us up a little, but we also still have some people with reciepts that need reimbursement. If you have any money owed to you, please come to the next meeting and get with Ray Lopez. If you can't make the next meeting then scan and send me the reciept and I'll give it to Ray. We have to get this settled up so we can cut a check to TBSS. I'll have a break down on what we made on the raffle, bake sale, silent auction and meal at the meeting.

Don't forget that the next monthly meeting will be on July 1, 2009. This is due to the fact that our monthly meeting falls on the same day as our Burn Camp Ride. The meeting will be at the VFW Hall one week earlier than usual and still at 6:30.

I hope eveyone had a great Fathers Day, Sunday and you weren't too tired to celebrate with family.

Thanks again to all,

Mario

Club News July 2009

The regular meeting of the San Antonio Firefighters Motorcycle Club (S.A.F.F. M/C) was called to order by our President Mario Guillen, A.F.F. (Active Firefighter), at 6:30 p.m., (mas o menos) June 10, 2009, at the V.F.W. Post on 10th and Broadway. (This V.F.W. Post is the oldest Post is Texas by the way) The S.A.F.F. M/C always conducts their meetings at the V.F.W. Post on 10th and Broadway and always on the second Wednesday of the month. And as always, anyone and everyone is welcome to attend any one of our meetings. You can attend the meeting to see if you would like to become a member, or you might attend our meeting just to check out our club in general, and that’s cool. For whatever reason, everyone is welcome to attend our meetings on the second Wednesday of the month. Except for the month of July, but I’ll get into that a little later in the article. Needless to say, our meeting was thoroughly abuzz about our upcoming fundraiser for the children of the Texas Burn Survivors Society (T.B.S.S.). And unfortunately, I can’t tell you about the B.B.Q. Brisket/Sausage plate, with all the trimmings, fundraiser because it hasn’t happened yet. The fundraiser is 10 days away, as of the date of our meeting, and yet when you get to read this article, it will all be over. What I can tell you is, if what happened at our meeting is any indication of what to expect, then I expect to witness many, many people to open their hearts and give to this great cause. I’ll tell you what I mean. Right after Brother Rick Bachmeier, R.F.F. (Retired Firefighter), said a prayer at the beginning of our meeting, our President, Mario Guillen, A.F.F., suspended the regular order of business to take time to recognize and call forth Mr. Ruben Cevallos of the Police and Firemen Insurance Association (PFIA). Mr. Cevallos was there to present a $600 check to the S.A.F.F. M/C on behalf of the PFIA. As some of you may or may not know, $600 is the cost to sponsor one child to the T.B.S.S. Burn Camp. After presenting the check to our President, Mario Guillen, A.F.F., Mr. Cevallos went further to say that the efforts the S.A.F.F. M/C made in the success of the PFIA fundraiser for Brother Larry Orozco, it was pretty easy to sponsor a child to burn camp. Ruben Cevallos, thank you very much and many thanks to the PFIA. Club sister Connie Flores, N.F.F. (Non-Firefighter), has been working for Sam’s Club for many years, and for the past four years she has managed to present a contribution check, from Sam’s Club, to the S.A.F.F. M/C annual fundraiser, and this year is no different. Sister Connie Flores, N.F.F., presented the S.A.F.F. M/C a check in the amount of $1000 on behalf of Sam’s Club. Thank you sister Connie Flores, and a heart felt thanks to Sam’s Club. Those of you that shop at Sam’s Club, give them a thanks the next time you stop by. So you see what I mean by a great start. We’ve managed to raise funds in the four digit range, and the event is 10 days away. Last year we raised funds in the five digit range. Let’s put our hands together and pray we do just as well this year. Well, stay tuned next month. I’ll tell you all about the fundraiser next time. And speaking of next time, the fundraiser sometimes can get all consuming and sometimes our club rides are set aside as a result. Well guess what kids. We have a ride planned for the last week of July. That’s right, a real club ride taking place for everyone to enjoy. This annual event will take us to the scenic trails of the Natchez Trace Parkway. The Natchez Trace Parkway is a scenic route that takes you thru the great state of Mississippi. It’s probably the most scenic route the state has to offer. Even Rand McNally says it’s one of the most scenic routes in the country. This six day ride will leave San Antonio on July 27, 2009, and return on August 1, 2009. On day one, we will make our way to Lake Charles, LA. Since it takes just a tad over six hours to drive, we’ll be leaving fairly early in the morning to reach Lake Charles with plenty of day light left to visit a casino or two. Day two will take us to Natchez, MS. Since this is only a three and a half hour drive, we can either leave early and be in Natchez for lunch, or enjoy a leisurely breakfast and arrive in Natchez closer to dinner time. On day three is what this trip is all about. We’ll be making our way to Tupelo, MS via the Natchez Trace Parkway. This Parkway starts at the South West corner of MS and stretches diagonally to the North East corner. And this is only a five and half hour drive so we’ll have plenty of opportunity to make stops along the way for picture taking, and other attractions. To learn more about the Natchez Trace Parkway, you can go to www.natchez-trace.thefuntimesguide.com and who knows, you may find something of interest that you may want to make a stop for. On day four, we start heading back home. We’ll make our way back to Natchez, MS, but we’ll be take a different route back, just to make it a little more interesting. Again, this is a five and half hour trip so we won’t have to be killing ourselves to get to our next destination before dark. Lake Charles, LA is our next stop on day five. As you remember, this is only a three and half hour trip, so we could possibly arrive early enough to visit a casino or two. Day six will be a long day. The last day will be a six + hour drive back to San Antonio. It’s that last leg in a trip that just seems to on forever when all you want to do is get home. Well there you have it in a nut shell folks. Six days of riding the open road to new adventures. And if you don’t think this is not adventurous, just try to hang with a bunch of firefighters with motorcycles. Which brings me to my next point, yours truly, Joel Berlanga, Road Captain, S.A.F.F. M/C will be leading this trip, and as of the date of our last meeting I had four, maybe five bikes who have committed on going on this trip and we all have made our reservations. Any club member that didn’t get the information on motels and their fees, please contact me, Joel Berlanga, Road Captain, S.A.F.F. M/C at 210-508-6921 and I can get the information to you somehow. And guess what, “What!!??” You don’t have to be a club member to go on this ride. That’s right; any firefighter with a motorcycle can go on this trip. Come join us as a guest, and it will be an experience that you’ll remember for the rest of you life. I mean it, the rest of your life. If any of you firefighters have a hankering to go on an organized group ride out of state, please contact me, Joel Berlanga, Road Captain, S.A.F.F. M/C, at 210-696-8025. I’ll be able to e-mail you the information on motels and their fees. I probably conduct the safest road trip than anyone around. Just ask any of my fellow club members. Before I leave this subject, I have to tell you that the position of support vehicle is still available. What is a support vehicle and what does a support vehicle do. Well I’m glad you asked. A support vehicle is just that, a support vehicle (preferably with four wheels or more) that gives support to a group ride in everyway possible. In case of breakdowns, and in the case of hot weather, they would carry our hydration and re-hydration supplies. First Aid kits would come in handy. If any of you are interested in meeting this challenge, please call me, Joel Berlanga, Road Captain, S.A.F.F. M/C, at 210-696-8025. If you can’t make this road trip, (I’m talking to you kids with motorcycles now), don’t forget that the Annual International Association of Firefighters Motorcycle Group (I.A.F.F M/G) ride to Colorado Springs, CO is in September, in time for the Annual Fallen Fighters Memorial Service. The 11th District of the I.A.F.F. M/G will be having their annual fall ride to Corpus Christi, TX in October. The only other ride I have to tell you about is the Annual Ride to Burn Camp on Wednesday, July 8, 2009. This is the day we ride to the T.B.S.S. Burn Camp and spend the day with the kids of the T.B.S.S. The camp is at the Lion’s Club Ranch near Kerrville, TX. Again, anyone wishing to join us can do so. Just contact any of our club members for information. Wow!! I’m glad I didn’t have much to say this month. That way I can keep this month’s article really short. Remember, if any of you firefighters, who have motorcycles, and want to go on an organized group ride out of state, contact me, Joel Berlanga, Road Captain, S.A.F.F. M/C at 210-696-8025. Until next time, be safe on the road, and have a good trip home…from wherever you are.

Fraternally,

Joel Berlanga

Road Captain

S.A.F.F. M/C

Thanks from Hope4Heros

Steven Fikes wanted me to pass along his thanks and appreciation to everyone for attending the Hope4Heroes benefit yesterday. It was a little windy but otherwise a great day. We had a fantastic turnout and I think everyone had a pretty good time. There is an article in the Sunday Metro section about the event, if you want to check it out.

A big thanks to the Blue Knights, it's always great riding with you all. We'll see you next week at the Poteet P.D. Poker Run

Don't forget next Saturday is the P.P.D. Poker Run. I'll send out another email with details for all who want to ride in the Poker Run. Let me know if you want to meet there or at Loop 410 & Hwy 16 and head out together.

Until then, ride safe,

Mario

Ian's Memorial Ride

Many thanks to all who rode in Ian's Memorial Ride yesterday. We attended Mass with Ian's family and then shared a meal with them afterword. The family wanted me to extend their thanks to the club for attending and sharing in Ian's memory.

On a sad note, one of our most active and reliable club members took a tumble on his way to the meeting spot. Joel Berlanga had to lay his bike down while trying to avoid a wheel that had fallen off a vehicle ahead of him. His accident happened at I35 near the Frio exit. Fellow club members Morm and Miki, Jerry Wenger, and Jeff Partida were travelling in the same direction and were on scene within a minute, and stayed and asisted Joel. Many, many thanks to those guys and girl.

Joel let us know that he is doing fine with some bruising and small abrasions and has his bike in the shop getting fixed up for the next ride.

Many thanks again,

Mario

Pictures coming soon

OUCH!!!!!

joel
I was in the UTSA area heading to go thru downtown on I-10 East. At approximately 6:45 a.m., I reached the point where I-10 and I-35 share each other and go South. As I got on I-10/I-35, I was in the center lane of three lanes that start to enter the junction and spotted something that looked like a piece of tire tread, that some 18 wheeler might have lost, laying in the middle of my lane. I looked Left, the lane was occupied, I looked Right, the lane was occupied so changing lanes was not an option. I was driving the posted speed limit which was 60 mph. As I got closer to the object laying on the hwy., I came to realize that the object was a spare tire, with rim and all. It was not a spare tire from a sub-compact car, nnnnnoooooooooooooo; it was the spare to a full size, off road type, pick-up truck. Focusing on the spare and the white line on my Left, I negotiated the bike between the Left side of the spare and the white line lane divider with maybe an inch or an inch and a half on either side of my bike. When I regained control of the bike in the center of my lane I looked up and saw a mid-size auto at a complete and dead stop, I my lane, with the driver standing on the passenger side of her vehicle. Again, changing lanes was not an option. That’s when I slammed on the brakes and went into that classic slide and angel that you always hear and/or read about. Both my tires were screaming to stop, but after sliding for 2-3 seconds, I knew the bike was not going to stop in time. I made the decision to lean back and lay the bike down. As the Right side of the bike hit the ground, I held on to my bike as long as I could, not wanting to let go. When I couldn’t hold on any longer, the bike slid passed the stopped car barely missing it and ended up two lanes over and up against the median that splits the two directions of highway. Me, I went into a tumble that, lucky for me, was in perfect line with the length my body, heading towards the stopped vehicle. After realizing my position, I straighten my legs and head, crossed my arms over my chest, closed my eyes and expected the worst. Don’t ask me how many times I tumbled over, cause quite frankly, I DON’T KNOW. The next thing I know is the Left rear tire of the stopped vehicle caught me in the chest and that’s what brought me to a stop. I was lying on my Right side with the tire in my chest and the gas tank over my head. I crawled out from under the vehicle, stood up, and like the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz, started to check myself out for any injuries.
I came to find out later that the lady that was driving the stopped car had hit the pick-up truck’s spare tire long before I came along. The Right front wheel of her vehicle broke off and she came to a screeching halt where she did. The lady that was driving the vehicle behind me struck the spare tire almost dead center of her front bumper. She came to a screeching stop just a few yards behind the stopped car dragging the spare tire with the front of her bumper. By this time, I was under the stopped car not knowing the status of the vehicle driving behind me.
I had two things, and only two things, going for me at that moment. One, I was completely covered in heavy leathers and wearing my helmet that saved me from serious injury. Two, I must have had the Lord riding with me. I feel His purpose for me has not been realized and that’s the only thing that saved me from death.
I want to thank everyone who stopped to make sure I was O.K. Thanks for helping me pick up my bike. Thanks for helping me getting it started. Thanks for watching my stuff while I took care of business with S.A.P.D. and the other driver. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Joel

Pictures from wreck

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