MEMBER ARTICLE |
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By HANK Scally
I left for the CMA Colors rally after church on October 13, 2024. At 73 years old, I planned to take my time and enjoy the ride. The ride to the rally went well, and I arrived at the rally site early Wednesday afternoon. I enjoyed the rally, especially the worship and teaching. I also enjoyed getting together with my brethren from New Mexico on Friday evening for an excellent BBQ dinner at a local restaurant. Saturday was a day of praise and worship, as well as teaching. Afterward, I wouldβ hang outβ and chat with brethren from the other chapters. I had planned to leave on Sunday after the church service.
Before I proceed, I would like to provide you with some insight into myself. I am a long-time Christian, and I have seen the Lord move many times in my life before. However, He was about to move in my life in a way that I had never seen before.
One thing I dislike about my bike( a 2018 Harley FLHC) is that it has spoked wheels, which means I have to run tubes, and a flat tire can be an expensive inconvenience. I left Iron Mountain at about 10:30 on Sunday morning. I had planned on using the same route on my return trip that I had used on my journey to Iron Mountain. At about 3:00 PM, I had just passed through the town of Duncan, Oklahoma, en route to my motel in Lawton, when I noticed that the handling on my bike was getting squirrelly. I pulled onto the shoulder
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, checked the bike, and yes, the rear tire was flat. I said a prayer that went basically,β Lord, HELP!!β and got onto the phone with my insurance company( I have towing on my insurance.)
It turned out that they were no help; the only company in the area was not equipped to tow bikes. Just before I got off the phone, an Oklahoma State policeman pulled up and offered help. He thought that the towing company that towed their impoundment could help. While he was on the phone, I called Sam Blackshear, my chapter president, and asked him if he could find someone to help. He said heβ d check and get back to me. By this time, the sun was going down, and it was starting to get a bit chilly. The state trooper left, saying heβ d drive by and check on me later.
At this time, Matt McKee, a CMA member from Lawton, pulled up and offered to help. As I was talking with him, another gentleman, whose last name is Colter and who is a resident of Duncan, stopped by and offered his help. Then, I received a call back from Sam Blackshear, who informed me that he had contacted Thomas Baker, a CMA Member from Duncan, who said he would bring out a trailer and provide a tow. I thanked the Lord and breathed a sigh of relief. The Lord had come through. I thanked Mr. Colter, and he left. I then asked Mr. McKee to wait with me to help load the bike. At about this time, the tow truck
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that the police officer had called arrived with a rig that was unable to tow a bike. The driver said,β It was the police that called; I thought it was another impoundment! Sorry!β and he left as well.
About 15 minutes later, Thomas Baker pulled up with a trailer. We loaded the bike, and since it was Sunday and nobody was open, we towed the bike to his house. I asked him if he would drive me to my motel, and he replied,β Why donβ t you just stay with us?β I gratefully accepted. The next morning, we took the bike to the Harley dealer in Lawton. The tire had to be replaced because it had a nail in the tread and another in the sidewall. It was ready at about 2:30 that afternoon. Thomas was an angel of God. Not only did he pay for the work on the bike, but he also gave me two nightsβ sleep at his house without requesting payment. Anke, his wife, fed me dinner that night, which was the best meal I had had in a very long time.
This gentleman and his wife have my love and respect for the rest of my life. His humility and his willingness to sacrifice both time and finances for a Christian brother have impressed and humbled me. I am indebted to him. His offer to pay for the repair work on my bike assured me that I would make it home. Thank you, Brother. CMA
Hank is a member of the Victory Riders chapter # 382 in Los Lunas, New Mexico.
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