talerider The Combat Veterans Association Poker Run was held on Saturday, 04 June 2022. This ride was my first since returning from Colorado Springs and the first since I had gotten Baby Blue back.
Baby Blue had been in the shop for some time waiting for a voltage regulator, which is why I had not taken her to the Franciscan Retreat in Colorado Springs the week before.
The run began at Diamondback Harley-Davidson, Lawton, OK, ventured to (1) Medicine Park, then to (2) Rush Springs, (3) Duncan, (4) MC Leathers & More, Lawton, and, finally (5) back to Diamondback.
After the five stops, my poker hand came to only 117, which was smack-dab in the middle of all those who had already checked in. I didn’t win the run, but I won a new experience and met an interesting rider also participating in the poker run to honor and raise funds for combat vets.
First stop was Nice Ice Baby, Medicine Park. I bought a 12 oz Caramel Vanilla cold coffee drink. The barista asked me if I wanted alcohol with it. Two reasons I said no: 1) the time was only 9:45 AM, and 2) I was on Baby Blue, and I don’t drink while riding the Softail.
When I said, “No, thank you,” the barista smiled and said, “You’re one of the few.” I then asked her where I could draw my card for my “poker” hand, and she pointed outside, just right to the side of the front door. I smirked and said, “Not too observant, am I?” She chuckled and said, “Just ride safe.” “Sure,” I said. “Thank you,” as I headed out the front door.
I stood outside Nice Ice Baby by the bench and just observed others. I noted the dichotomy of people walking up and down or just standing around the main street of Medicine Park. Men wearing pastel sports shirts–some pink, some lime, some lemon–, Bermuda shorts–some plaid, some white, some complementary of the pastel pink, lime, lemon sports shirts–, their feet squeezed into white, gray, red, blue, yellow tennis shoes or brown loafers. Women were in short summer dresses–some paisley prints, some flowery, some geometric, some with no pattern, but all light, breezy spring colors. Some of the women wore on their heads broad-brimmed hats, some scarfs, and a few ball caps.
These pastel and paisley gawkers wove through and among the black-and-denim-clad bikers on the CVA Poker Run, some in MC kuttes adorned with skulls, guns, cycles, or a club’s particular motif, and nearly all wearing dark sunglasses, dangerous-looking do-rags, heavy black riding boots, many with full-length sleeve tattoos or shy tattoos peeking out from under their black teeshirt sleeves, and a few with long silver chains banging from their belts.
Despite the contrast of the visitors–the pastel and the black–, the scene appeared quite normal, jovial, and serene.
As I watched the motley crowd, I overheard a conversation about a bike sitting in front of Nice Ice Baby. A woman was telling another biker how she had painted the designs on her bike and what each represented.
I moved to hear better and to get a closer look. The art she had put on her bike is among the best I’ve ever seen.
I introduced myself. She said her name is Jade. I asked permission to photo her creations. She smiled and said, “Sure.”
I explained to Jade that I’m always impressed with artistic people as I can’t draw a straight line with a ruler even if someone was holding the ruler steady for me. Once I even received a Cease and Desist order from the Stickmen Anti-Defamation Society because I drew Stickmen so poorly.
Jade’s horn cover is an homage to 9/11. Jade was a responder during this horrific attack on the United States.
When I saw Jade’s St. Michael Protect Us derby cover, I pointed to my St. Michael patch on my kutte: “We have the same patron saint.” Jade said, “He’s been good to me.”
Both Jade and her husband still work as responders (he’s retired USA). Her 2018 Harley consecrates those who have given all to help protect and serve the rest of us.
Jade has applied the American flag motif in both her gas tank and saddle bags, leaving no doubt her feelings about our country. “Aegitas and Veritas”
Jade is rightfully proud of her 2018 Harley. Her personal artwork brings not only a sense of swank for her country and her service but also validates Harley’s stance of being America’s true motorcycle.
While talking to Jade about our mutual interests, we discovered we have a friend in common–Andy, retired USN, who’s worked as a deputy sheriff with the Comanche County Sheriff’s Department for years and is my next-door neighbor. Turns out, our connection, even though we had never met before that day, was just three degrees of separation: Harley’s, Sheriff Andy, and supporting vets and first responders.
Nice Ice Baby at Medicine Park was the first stop, and although I met others on the four other stops to collect a card for my poker hand, meeting Jade and hearing her and her husband’s story was the most memorable.
