"Thunder In the Cascades"
Cooper's Lake, Slippery Rock, P.A.
June -25 -26-27- 28 , 2009
Article by Robert Harris

After a few days of R.&R. in New Castle , PA. , I started working on my special project. Will tell you more at a later date. It was then off to Coopers Lake in Slippery Rock , PA.  for , a weekend at  " Thunder In The Cascades" to continue my fundraising efforts to help my homeless Vet  Brothers. Sort of a continuation of " Operation Dust Off ". While there I entered the Tribute Bike in two bike shows walking away with 1st. place Radical Ride and Best Of Show.

Carla with Veteran Tribute Bike

On a whole the people I met were great. I had  a bit of a  problem with the venders next to me who were selling chewing tobacco and one across from me , " HP Custom Cycles" out of Elizabeth, PA. It seemed as though they  did not appreciate the songs I was playing on my small portable C.D. player in honor of my Vietnam Vet Brothers. After they called camp security and complaining, as well as wineing to the shows organizers I decided to just close up shop. I got tired of their crying and did not want to discipline them street style and go to Jail. But that was not. the end but merely the beginning . Word of the incident spread through the camp ground like wild fire. Soon those who served in Korea , Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan , all started to coverage on my little spot. I was asked to take out my small C.D. player and start to play my music again. My brothers from the " War Dogs" came to show their support. A few words of reason from them and H.P. Cycles decided to close up shop and head back to Elizabeth. The chewing Tobacco boys beat them out of town.

  The War Dogs with Robert Harris

It did my heart well to know that my fundraising effort was appreciated by so many. A special thanks to George Ringeisen, Jr. who recently  buried his father with full military honors . ( He was a World War II Vet  ) George was prepared to go to Jail for me and my cause. Another big thank you to Mike ( Horse) Horzempa and the rest of the War Dogs Motorcycle Club for their support and persuasive reasoning. They some how convinced HP Custom Cycles and the Tobacco boys it was time to leave the camp grounds. Love ya  my brothers.

   The weekend went by fast. Mostly nice weather and those who visited the Tribute Bike and made donations were the best. They were still in the minority as most people just walked around the big poster of a homeless Vet and the donation box I practically put in the middle of the walk way. Maybe they did not know how to read English. Maybe they just needed glasses. Most likely they just take their freedoms for granted. How sad. The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten. All gave some, some gave  all . Time was served,  Time to honor.  If you enjoy and love your freedoms support organizations  who support the defenders of  your   freedoms.
God Bless you. -  God Bless America

Robert Harris - " Sky Soldier"
Operation Dust Off - Organizer / Coordinator
173rd. Airborne - Vietnam 1965-66

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