Help Greg Finish the Ride (from Seekonk to Taunton) SEMMSF

Sunday, June 28, a young Veteran and severely injured rider and his family need our and your support.

"Help Greg Finish the Ride," Seekonk to Taunton - co-hosted by the Southeastern MA Motorcyclists Survivor's Fund (www.SEMMSF.org) - $15 in advance (available on that web site until 6/27) - $20 at the Seekonk Speedway 9:30 staging area - Ride leaves at NOON SHARP. AMA sanctioned Event - includes PIG ROAST by Paul V. (formerly an ABATE of MA member) at the Lafayette Club, and live music donated by "Johnny G 3," with John Gilligan. They play cover tunes as well as some originals. See them at www.myspace.com/johnnygilligan

Here's the short version of the long - all too familiar "rider-victim" story - and what else YOU can do about it !

Last June 22, (2008) Greg was riding home when a 75-year old blew a STOP sign, (he "thought he could make it") resulting in a direct impact with Greg shattering his body and his young life.

After volunteering for the MA Army National Guard while finishing High School, he answered the call to duty the spring of 2002, then went to "the theater of operations" the spring of 2003 for 12 months, and was then "boots on the ground" for a another 3 months attached in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Greg was a driver in the 1058 Transportation Unit out of Hingham. He was in an ambush while over there as well as many "near misses" with IED, and many other hazards. His unit traveled all over that country! They actually transformed their trucks into "gun trucks" so then he was a "machine gunner" running escorts for "third country nationals." He earned his Air Assault Wings which was a big accomplishment for him. He is a Staff Sergeant and was a platoon leader as well as his unit's PT instructor. Quite accomplished for a young guy.

He was home for 4 years when then his world turned upside down. He was a full time college student (Bridgewater State College, Criminal Justice Major, on the Dean's List), still serving in the MA Army National Guard (had signed on for another 6 years and planned on doing 20 years) and also worked part time at Loomis (armored money trucks). He was due to graduate last month and had been recruited by the Newport RI police department.

And then some 75-year old guy in a hurry with no place to go - blows a STOP sign - with minimal liability coverage and no assets. And now, with over $700,000 in medical bills, . . . Greg will never see a dime.

So the www.SEMMSF.org, the folks at Seekonk Speedway, Joe & Jane of www.IronstoneVentures.com and Greg's family and friends - see www.aheroheals.com - are joining forces to make Greg's and his family's lives a little comfortable, with this "Help Greg Finish the Ride" fundraising Event, and a portion of the funds raised from this Event will go into the SEMMSF pool of funds to assist other riders families in need.

Greg will be at the Ride. If he can be there - please come out also - whether your a rider, a veteran - (or both) - or just a person who would like to pay tribute and make a donation to this special young man and his family - rain or shine, ride or drive, Sunday, June 28th.

PC EDITORIAL NOTE - AS A MOTORCYCLIST ADVOCATE - NOT ON BEHALF OF THE MMSF OR SEMMSF . . .

I sent a letter to the driver who wrecked Greg's life over two weeks ago, offering to mediate an off the record meeting with Greg. He has not yet answered that invitation - We hope he will - that would help Greg in his healing and rehab process. As no citation was issued, we suspect he's just been advised to stay away.

On behalf of motor vehicle accident victims, House, No. 1405 has been filed at the State House, seeking to shift the financial burdens victims and their families face when others violate their right of way resulting in death or serious bodily injury. See www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/186/ht01/ht01405.htm.

House, No. 1405 has been assigned to the Judiciary Committee and its Public Hearing is scheduled for September 29th. I'll be asking ALL victims of right of way violations, and their families to be at that Hearing, to share with legislators how 'right of way victims' are victimized twice - first with the accident and resulting injuries or lost of life, and secondary with the financial burdens through no fault of their own.

If this type bill gets enacted, that $700,000 in debt Greg faces - through no fault of his own - would be shifted to the at-fault driver who won't even answer a letter. Let him go bankrupt, not his victim. Please pass the word to others you know who have been victimized - join me in Seekonk OR Taunton on June 28 and at the State House September 29th !

Write me privately at claimscote@aol.com for more information on this Bill and working to right this wrong.

TONS of thanks - PC

Speaking only for myself and not on behalf of any nonprofit organization I am a member to.