Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/751464
6 nDecember 2016n www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS by Diane "Shadow's Wife" Jones OCEANSIDE, CALIF., OCT. 28— During a time when our country has had so much division and turmoil over core beliefs and values, it is so refresh- ing to be amongst and part of the most generous, sincere and amazing community of people throughout this country, the American biker commu- nity. The loyalty and respect that binds most motorcycle club brothers and sisters to each other also abundantly spills over to their respective commu- nities with charitable fundraisers for causes near and dear to their hearts. Dave Francisco, "Cisco," president of Chappo Chapter of Forgotten Sons MC, says he wants the non-biker com- munity and the media to really see the heart and soul of his club and the other clubs with whom he associates, and how they are truly working together to make a better community for everyone. Cisco is proud of his Forgotten Sons brothers on the East Coast who paved the way for Chappo chapter and of two other southern California military clubs, Viet Nam/Legacy Vets MC and Rough Riders MC who also gave their support for their start on the West Coast. They took their name Chappo from the old train station on Camp Pendleton that transported ser- vicemen during World War II. Their commitment to their brothers in the club and their brothers in the military is the common thread that brought them together with Annie Nelson and American Soldier Network to bring about awareness of the growing epidemic of veteran suicides. Annie reports that there were over 35 sui- cide attempts at Camp Pendleton just this past summer. The numbers are growing nationally and with our vet- erans care and support on overload, organizations like American Soldier Network are trying to collaborate with other groups and organizations like the biker community, especially the clubs that are grounded with military veterans. Annie believes that the draw of the vet- erans to the motorcycle clubs is the desire to stay in a brotherhood that they became a part of in their military careers and the importance of standing with and by their brothers in the foxholes of war and the foxholes they now fi nd themselves here at home is the key to helping the veterans with the invisible wounds such as PTSD as well as other issues that arise from scars of combat and war. Just about a month ago, Forgotten Sons MC Chappo Charter started a crowdfunding campaign for this specifi c event in order to help defray some of the fi xed costs of the event and in that short time they raised enough money to cover the fi xed costs and start mak- ing money to donate all the proceeds directly to American Soldier Network and their efforts in veteran suicide pre- vention. Chapter president Cisco was happy to report that every dollar col- lected at their event was going dire ctly to American Soldier Network. Some other sponsors stepped up and helped with funding like Motorcycle Attorney Russ Brown, and the Local Tap House & Kitchen in Oceanside also put up $1 for every pint of beer sold this weekend at their establishment to be donated to the cause. All this was hap- pening before the event even started. There were some amazing donations for raffl e prizes and a live auction to raise additional funds for the event and American Soldier Network. The day began and ended with typical fall weather of early morning cloud cover and cool temperatures to sunny skies with beautiful fl eet- ing clouds, perfect for the awesome turnout of over 300 registered riders and guests for this inaugural event. The vendors were all set and ready to help make the event a certain success. The Hidden City Derby Girls out of Oceanside were already on hand to roll into your hearts and steal your money Michael Smith President of the Toyota Veterans Association and Don Esmond a USMC Vietnam Veteran and retired Toyota executive and Annie Nelson of American Soldier Network presenting Medal of Honor Recipient, John Baca with a check for $5,000 to cover the costs of his insur- ance and fuel See "Ride to Live," page 8, column 1 FORGOTTEN SONS MC RIDE TO LIVE A feel good affair Helping American Soldier Network prevent veteran suicides Hidden City Derby Girls steal your heart and take your money and that is how they roll "There was something in the air, something big was going to happen; you could just feel the intensity and drive from the Forgotten Sons MC members, American Soldier Network peeps and the ever present Team Toyota."