IAFF Motorcycle Group

Guest Book Entries:

Oct. 07, 2012
Name:	John Keslar
Union/Local:	IAFF
Occupation:	804
City, State/Province Country:	Nampa, Id. USA
Comments:	I joined the fire service in July 1976 and retired January 1997 for medical reasons.I am very proud to have been a Firefighter.They are a special breed to do the daring job that they do.Glad to have been associated with the IAFF!!
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Aug. 19, 2011
Name:	gregg arsenault
Union/Local:	U.A.W
Occupation:	Local 2000
City, State/Province Country:	lorain, ohio USA
Comments:	join bike ride 911 rally
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Aug. 18, 2011
Name:	Kenneth R Warren
Union/Local:
Occupation:
City, State/Province Country:	San Leandro, CA USA
Comments:	God Bless you all! Thanks for everything!
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Aug. 04, 2011
Name:	Rich spangenberger
Union/Local:	Iaff
Occupation:	107
City, State/Province Country:	Mount vernon, Ny USA
Comments:	Great job on web site Will.be riding in 9/11 ride in newburg
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Jul. 01, 2011
Name:	Mike Mezinger
Union/Local:	IAFF
Occupation:	328
City, State/Province Country:	Fremont, OH USA
Comments:	Checking out the site, looking at joining.
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Jan. 31, 2011
Name:	Tyler Bothorel
Union/Local:	Saskatoon Firefighters
Occupation:	Local 80
City, State/Province Country:	Saskatoon, Sk Canada
Comments:
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Dec. 02, 2010
Name:	Carlos E. Mendez
Union/Local:	Brownsville
Occupation:	L0970
City, State/Province Country:	Brownsville, TX USA
Comments:	Just passin thru and wanted to say hello, I retired bout 2 yrs. ago due to a motorcycle accident. Sorry I missed the Buddy Mass ride.
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Oct. 10, 2010
Name:	Gordon Wilson
Union/Local:	IAFF
Occupation:	7
City, State/Province Country:	Sioux City, ia USA
Comments:	Great site! Look forward to joining and joining you on the 911 ride next year.
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Aug. 04, 2010
Name:	Tom Cots
Union/Local:	IAFF
Occupation:	2664
City, State/Province Country:	greenland, NH USA
Comments:	Just surfed in, see you at Sarahs ride.
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May. 25, 2010
Name:	David Smith
Union/Local:
Occupation:
City, State/Province Country:	surf city, NC USA
Comments:	great web site. Well done
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Mar. 24, 2010
Name:	John Hattaway
Union/Local:	IAFF
Occupation:	1358
City, State/Province Country:	BASTROP, LA. USA
Comments:
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Jan. 13, 2010
Name:	Douglas Peterman
Union/Local:	Los Angeles City Firefighters
Occupation:	112
City, State/Province Country:	Los Angeles, CA USA
Comments:	Web page looks great cant wait for a District 6 ride this year.
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Jan. 12, 2010
Name:	Richard Tucker
Union/Local:	City of Plattsburgh firefighters
Occupation:	2421
City, State/Province Country:	Plattsburgh, NY USA
Comments:	Retired 2-16-09
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Jan. 01, 2010
Name:	Mike Smith
Union/Local:	IAFF
Occupation:	1997
City, State/Province Country:	Marysville, wa USA
Comments:	Hello All I just joined and paid my dues today. Looking forward to meeting members from district 7. r/Smitty
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Oct. 28, 2009
Name:	John P Cronin
Union/Local:	San Mateo Co Firefighters
Occupation:	2400
City, State/Province Country:	Redwood City, Ca USA
Comments:	I would like to express my appreciation for the job Local 5 did during the Fallen Firefighter Memorial. To say I was proud of the event would be so understated. This event is the definition of what our Brotherhood should be. Thank you to all involved.
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Oct. 08, 2009
Name:	DANIEL RODRIGUEZ
Union/Local:	CCFFA
Occupation:	0936
City, State/Province Country:	CORPUS CHRISTI, TX USA
Comments:	HAD A GREAT RIDE AND TIME, MET SOME BROTHERS I HOPE TO SOME DAY AGAIN
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Oct. 08, 2009
Name:	Lori & Tyler Kierstead
Union/Local:
Occupation:
City, State/Province Country:	San Antonio, TX USA
Comments:	This was our first rally and we would like to express our most heart-felt thanks to all the Firefighters who opened their hearts and arms to my son and I. My husband Joe Kierstead who was retired from SAFD Local 624, passed away less than a week before we started our journey to Colorado. My son, Tyler, rode Joe's bike and wore his vest in rememberance of his father. The trip was not an easy one, but we were in good hands with the SAFFMC. We will cherish the memories. Lori & Tyler Kierstead, SAFFMC
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Oct. 06, 2009
Name:	Jeff
Union/Local:	IAFF
Occupation:	2157
City, State/Province Country:	Gainesville, FL USA
Comments:	We spend a lot of time, effort, staff and money to come up with ways to engage our members; to connect with them on levels that instill the same commitment and loyalty seen between fellow crew members and on our shifts at the Station. These lifelong friendships are a key part of our Locals' strength and effectiveness...the IAFF-MG is doing just that on a National level. I only hope more see the positive impact that this and other programs like it (sportsman's alliance)are having within our ranks. Huge kudos to Mike Crouse, he make alot happen with little resources! I hope this effort can reach its potential. Thanks for everyone's work to make it happen.
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Oct. 06, 2009
Name:	Jeffrey Weidner
Union/Local:	Kenosha Professional Firefighters
Occupation:	414
City, State/Province Country:	Kenosha, Wi USA
Comments:	Since the passage of the resolution at convention creating the IAFF-MG, I was skeptical. I thought there was no way it would ever take off following the statement "you now have a club and by the way, no money". I am incredibly proud of the hard work and true professionalism of those who made this group and rally a model for success. It has inspired many of us to not only join, but encourage others to do the same. Not only did we meet new friends, but saw old ones that we had only seen at convention. My hats off to the entire team that made this event what it was. It has been the highlight of my 20+ years riding career.
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Oct. 05, 2009
Name:	John Filler
Union/Local:	IAFF
Occupation:	L4626
City, State/Province Country:	Middleton, Id USA
Comments:	This was my first Rally. I can not express the feelings I have to all my Brothers and Sisters that road to and from the rally with me. The friendships that were built will last for all eternity. I look forward to the ride in June and hope even more ride with us. Good time, Great memories, and tons of laughs. John Filler Idaho State Event Coordinator jrfiller@iaffmg.org
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Oct. 05, 2009
Name:	Steve Ledger
Union/Local:
Occupation:
City, State/Province Country:	, USA
Comments:	IAFF 3rd National Rally-Colorado Springs We had one member ride out with the 8th District six days ahead of us. Myself and five members departed SE Wisconsin on Monday morning. Had one minor breakdown which was remedied quickly thanks to Kutter H-D out of Monroe, WI. Our entire trip we had 30 minutes of rain, stopped in Kansas City for BBQ on the way out. Several members got new tattoos. Made new friends and brought in new members impressed by the rally. Met up with old friends, enjoyed all the rides. We are all looking forward to Fayetteville, AK next year. When do we sign up? Hope to see you all on the road.
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Oct. 05, 2009
Name:	Craig Furneisen Sr
Union/Local:
Occupation:	Local 2068
City, State/Province Country:	, USA
Comments:	I am a charter member of the Motorcycle Group. Untill this year I never made the effort to particapate in any of the group rides. I just sat back and read posts on this forum. That all changed last year when my friend and brother firefighter John Loss died suddenly due to a training incident. I had never riden more then two hundred miles in one day and avoided rain. As soon as I knew John's name was going was going on the wall. I started making plans to make the 3rd National Rally. I rode with other members of the 4th, 1st and 3rd districts (and one Canadian), led by Jim Beecken 4th District Coordinator. I found out what I was missing. The true Brotherhood of Firefighters comes out in this group. I encourage everyone to get out and ride. Tell more of our Brothers about how great this Group can be. I intend to be in Fayettville next year. Craig Furneisen Sr Local 2068 Retired FFSE03 Road King
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Oct. 05, 2009
Name:	Gary Conn
Union/Local:
Occupation:
City, State/Province Country:	, USA
Comments:	Hi to all, Just a short note to thank all of you for making the ride to Colorado Springs a great time after such a shaky start for me and the rest of Local 1296. I appreciated the support and especially the camaraderie. All I can say is that the fire service has the greatest people in the world associated with it. Mike and I made it back to Kennewick at about 1745 and arrived just at the end of the dinner and the video tribute to Eric. We presented his wife and daughter with the items that were given to us for her. She was very appreciative and wanted me to thank all of you for you thoughts and prayers. Again, thank all of you and I hope to meet up with you some day on the road again. My house and shop are always open to those in the fire service. Gary Conn 7th District
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Oct. 05, 2009
Name:	Cheryl Rosti
Union/Local:
Occupation:
City, State/Province Country:	, USA
Comments:	Good morning everyone! Here is everyone's email address and a few photos that Darrel and I took along on the trip. What an experience! I look at our pictures and they just can't even begin to tell the stories behind them. This trip was so much more than just a bike ride to Colorado Springs, I laughed hard, cried hard and cannot wait until the next one! Have a great day and can't wait to see everyone's pictures! Cheryl Rosti 7th District
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Oct. 05, 2009
Name:	Dean
Union/Local:	Boyle
Occupation:
City, State/Province Country:	, USA
Comments:	What can I say. Sept. 13th I left on an adventure, little did I know what I was getting into. This ride turned into an adventure of the mind the body and the soul. I met some of the finest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I traveled new roads, made new friends and lost one. I was also able to refresh the brotherhood and sisterhood that sometimes gets diminished over the years. I thank you all. I hope to see you all again in the future. During my ride home solo I was able to reflect on all that we had gone through and enjoy the freedom of the road. I got caught in a rain storm around Aspen, a thunder and lightning storm around Grand Junction other than that the weather was great. I stopped in Salt lake city and spent some time with a cousin who has cancer and in Bend Oregon with and old friend I had not seen in quite a while. Friday on my final leg I made a detour to Kennewick, After searching for 1/2 hour I found a fire station, knocked on the door. I then found out I had found Eric's Station and his crew was on duty. They welcomed me in and were pleased that I had made the effort to stop. I then completed my trip home. OHHH I almost forgot my bike ran great and there were no problems. Thanks again for one of the best trips I have had. Dean Boyle From the “Magnificent 7th!”
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Oct. 03, 2009
Name:	Cro
Union/Local:
Occupation:
City, State/Province Country:	, USA
Comments:	I would like to thank all involved, especially Dave Manning and Angelo Aragon. Both of these brothers made it possible for myself and my brother FF from Redwood City, Ca. to make the ride to the Springs. We will not miss this again. You and your staff did such a great job in the organization and execution of this event, I was amazed. Dave was a great comfort to Kim and I as his bike took a dump. He kept in constant contact to make sure we were ok. Made sure we knew where to go and when to be there. I was also treated like I had known all of you for ages, good feeling. Our task here is to get a fire started under some butts here in the Bay Area and make sure we provide more riders and more bodies at the ceremony. I will forward the pics I took as soon as my teenager teaches me how to get them out of the camera. You will be welcome to uase them all. Thanks again cro "A" Shift Shop Steward Station 11 650-780-7411 c 415-806-6569
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Sep. 29, 2009
Name:	Jim Parks
Union/Local:	IAFF
Occupation:	L-363
City, State/Province Country:	, USA
Comments:	I have been riding for a long time; and a lot of that time with my wife Judy, but we have never had as great of a time as we had on the ride with the 8th district. There were several contributing factors to the overall success. The organization of stops, hotels, routes etc. and the beauty of Gods creation played a big part but it's still people that make the world go around. Riding with strangers at the beginning that evolved into old friends at the end of two weeks was amazing to say the least. Judy had a tear in her eye as we said good bye and commented that she feels like she has known these people forever and I agreed. Getting back to our everyday life at home and at the Firehouse pales in comparison to our gypsy life on the road. Perhaps one day we will just keep riding. So mission accomplished in my book...this was why the IAFF MG was started. Sincerely; Jim Parks (Local 363)
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Sep. 29, 2009
Name:	Rex
Union/Local:	IAFF
Occupation:	L-1348
City, State/Province Country:	, OH USA
Comments:	Swanny. Just a note to thank you and Flossy for letting myself and Raiford tag along . The friends made and the experiences will last us a lifetime. I don't know if I can forgive you for the picture but I guess it goes with the territory. You will be getting some event patches in the mail-I e-mailed M.Crouse and asked for a few for those of us that weren't able to get one. Back in the Eighty's myself "Tiny", Bobby Collins, Harry Gaunt planned a trip to ride the Baja 1000. About three weeks before the ride Bobby broke an arm. Needless to say, that trip never happened. I feel that this trip made up for the one missed so many years ago. Thanks Again Rex(DF) Local 1348 Retired
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Sep. 29, 2009
Name:	Dave Parker
Union/Local:	IAFF
Occupation:	L2150
City, State/Province Country:	, OH USA
Comments:	I've hesitated in the past to join the Motorcycle Group due to the fact that I ride a Goldwing. I knew the by-laws had changed to allow my membership, but I still hesitated. I changed my mind when I found out about the ride of a lifetime that our 8th District planned for this years National Rally. My wife and I joined 13 other bikes, 22 other members, and a chase truck representing 4 states. The sites seen, miles ridden, and friendships made are too numerous to detail here, but as I said it was a ride of a lifetime for my wife and I that I would never had planned or attempted on my own. Thanks to Dennis, our 8th District Director, and the rest of the guys from Muncie, Indiana for all your hard work and great planning. If not for this trip I would not be a member of the IAFF MG. A note to anyone hesitating to join for whatever reason, give it a shot for a year and participate, you won't regret it. There was some ribbing for the Goldwing, but it was all in good fun. Dave Parker Local 2150 Kettering, OH 2005 Goldwing
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Sep. 29, 2009
Name:	Dave and Renee Schoenung
Union/Local:	IAFF
Occupation:	L-136
City, State/Province Country:	, OH USA
Comments:	A couple of things that I came away with from this trip is: 1. Before I spend any more money traveling to other parts of the world, I want to explore more of what we have here in this country. 2. Being a charter member of the IAFF Motorcycle Group I haven’t participated in any rides or even purchased my colors. I’ve had my mind changed about both of these issues now thanks to the 8th district’s ride to the 3rd Annual Motorcycle Group Rally and attending the IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial Services. I plan on attending every ride I can from now on and I’m ordering my vest and colors this week. Dave and Renee Schoenung 8th District Dayton, OH Local 136
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