ALR DoC 2022 Convention
Written by Gucci, Chapter 184 Director: On Friday April 22nd two riders from Chapter 184 embarked on our first ride to convention in Victorville. We had no idea what to expect an frankly the weather forecast was a bit daunting. Bob and I (Gucci) set off from the Southbay with a pretty good wind on us and cool weather. About 70 miles in we stopped to stretch out legs and take a breather before heading up the mountain. Not 5 minutes into getting back on the freeway the sky opened up on us with the wind howling. Lucky for us about midway up the grade it let up and the sun came back out and we just enjoyed the ride. We rolled into Victorville and dropped off our bags at the hotels then rode over to the fairgrounds to check in as delegates for Chapter 184. So far we had no idea what to expect but things were going smoothly so we decided to hit the Harley dealer near there then head to the sponsoring post for dinner. I plugged the coordinated into my phone and thought it was odd that 7 miles was going take us 28 minutes but we were hungry and needed a beer. By this time the wind had picked up even more so we were not only watching tumbleweeds go past us and struggling to stay on the road but we appeared to be going into a scene from Breaking Bad. About 30 minutes later we pulled up on this dusty road to a sign on the door saying “Only open for meetings”. I text the DoC Director but both Bob and I could not get our phones to work even with 5 bars of service. Decided to go back to the hotel and see what was up since someone said there was a “hospitality” room. No such luck at the hotel so we found a local joint to have a few beers and some dinner. Having no expectations turned out to be a good thing in our case that day. I got a message back from the Director that the dinner had been cancelled. We had a decent meal and Bob went back to his hotel. I went in search for this hospitality room in desperate need for a drink. I ended up running into Area 6 Vice Director and started meeting folks as they rolled in. Turned out to be a pretty good evening meeting lots of folks and new faces. Next morning we rolled over to the convention still with no clue as to what was ahead for us. We rolled into the sea of bikes and watched others roll in and continues to meet other chapter riders. 0900 convention got underway. It was good to see the young Marines posting the colors, they did a great job. I have to say that I really enjoy the customs and traditions of an organization like this. I think we were a little thrown off and all the sit/stand we had to do every time a speaker came to the podium but it was still pretty cool. The California Legion Commander gave a speech as well as the Adjutant along with many others. What hit me a little hard was when Ida Ruiz went up to the stage. Her husband was one of the first riders I ever met along with Joel Lopez when they came to assist me starting this chapter. It was great to hear that she is continuing to be a rider and has plans to ride Rey’s Softail in the near future. Unexpectedly, I was called up to stage to receive not only our formal recognition as a chapter but an award for our safe mileage. Somewhere along in the day we separated into the various areas for caucus meetings. We are a part of Area 4 and there were just a handful of us but it was decided that I would take over as the Area 4 Vice Director. I am not sure if I am ready for it but I will damn sure give it my all. It was great the Autrey James the Legion Commander of California came by to chat with us. We wrapped up the day and had a steak dinner at the Elk’s Lodge in town. the place was not without it’s incidents, apparently there was a guy with a shovel bashing cars on the other side of the hotel on Saturday night and the cops were there early Sunday morning for a disturbance in the next motel over. Thankfully no one messed with all the bikes.
The last day of convention started with some notes and then the swearing in of the new officers including myself as Area 4 Vice Director. I felt a little lost but enjoyed all of the ceremonial aspects of the event. At that time I took my place on stage with the ALR DoC leadership and Joel Lopez passed on the torch and the white beret to me. ALR DoC Director then asked all of the newly elected area Vice Directors to step up to the podium and say a few words. When it came my time all I could think about was Ida sitting there and our chat when her and Rey visited Post 184. All I knew to do was to thank everyone for my support and personally thank her because without Rey, Ida and Joel coming that day to help me at the Legion meeting to vote on forming a chapter I would not be here nor would my comrade riders of Chapter 184. I listened to Cris Molina give an amazing speech about doing things TOGETHER even though we are separated by our areas. We ended the day with a meeting and Bob cut loose early to beat the wind (I do not blame him!). I had to stay for a DEC meeting which was no big deal except me being told I cannot sit in the back anymore. We finished up the meeting and took a few more pictures and I saddled up and headed West. Was a rough and hot ride back home but I made it in about 2 hours. Total Bob and I rode about 250 miles this weekend and I am feeling it today. Next convention will be up in Porterville where I hope to bring a bigger contingency of my brothers and sisters from Chapter 184 and Area 4. I will say that I have never met a better group of people that truly believe in giving for the greater good of veterans and our communities. Till next year…..
