Reflecting on Two Years Since Hanging Up My Final Patch
Introduction
This year has been one of reflection, as this past January marked the two-year anniversary of the date I last hung up my final patch. You can't help but reflect on the days, weeks, and months of almost 20 years past, filled with smiles, sadness, and anger. When I am sometimes called upon for counsel by friends and even leaders of big clubs who are still active, I can empathize with whatever their dilemma might be. I always say to them, "Your only paycheck is the pleasure you take from it." When I hung up my patch, I hadn’t been paid in about a year and a half. As I have said many times, I did not leave life; life left me.
The Journey of Motorcycle Club Leadership
I was thrust into leadership positions quickly in my MC life. Not that I knew I was abundantly qualified, but I did have a history of knowledge from the aces, and my old man “Lightning,” over several decades. But that could only prepare you for what might happen from time to time, but of course, you learn the best lessons in real time. I will say my early years as an adult in the club life were an absolute blast. We carried a very heavy presence, and that sense of belonging that all of us misfit toys are searching for was there for me. At least I thought it was. I was taught personally by some very influential leaders, and I was taught very well. In fact, not too long after finishing my first year as a full patch, I was thrust into the number one role. As intimidating as that might sound, I had a phenomenal, intelligent, and experienced group of role models.
Leading the Motorcycle Club World Mother Chapter
Due to the specific nature of this club, the leadership role of this chapter was very important, beyond the local level. You see, this was, as it turns out, the world mother chapter of a five-year-old international club, with specific ties to one of the oldest clubs in the USA. So what we did, and how we acted, was looked upon and followed by many eyes.
Cherished Memories and Hard Lessons
Fond Memories
I still look fondly back upon my time with those club brothers. In fact, I am still regularly in touch with a few of those brothers even today. I was fortunate to be in a position where I had access to the top leadership of our affiliated clubs. I counseled quite regularly with leaders of the day, who went on to climb the ladder in future years to the very top. After having served in the top spot, several of the brothers who came up on my watch also went on to become leaders of their time. There are still several dozen members of large organizations that I have retained that friendship with.
Lessons in Integrity
After four and a half years of service, I had to leave that motorcycle club not by any circumstance of my own making. This was my first exposure to a trusted friend whom I brought into the life maneuvering himself into what he thought was a place of value by stabbing me in the back. Although it was not his specific actions that resulted in me having to choose my word and integrity over my patch, you see, what many MC members fail to realize is that without your word and integrity, your patch means absolutely nothing.
The Road Name "Tabasco"
The Story Behind the Name
But while I was in that role and with that club, I had some of the best times I've ever had in the club life. In fact, my road name, “Tabasco,” came from an interaction with a senior member of that organization and a senior member from another well-known organization. You see, I was just a probate and had planned on attending a large annual event later in the day as instructed by my chapter President. I received a call around 10:00 AM that morning instructing me to go to the clubhouse as soon as possible instead of routing to the event later in the day.
The Memorable Incident
A senior member of our organization from another state was at the large event with a senior member from another very large club, and word had gotten around that there may possibly be enemies of the other club member hunting his patch at the public event. It just so happened that it was the birthday of our senior club member, and I can tell you he was quite an ornery soul. So, I show up at the clubhouse around 11:00 AM and got it all opened up. And our senior member, for the sake of conversation, we'll call him JJ, was already wound up for his birthday....
Good and Bad, I wouldn't trade a mile of it.
Until Next Church, Keep it Real!
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