#ygrps-yiv-1632579254 p {margin:0;}I used to live in Fallon, NV when I was in the Coast Guard (Yes, there are USCG in Nevada). I was on my way home from visiting my girlfriend in L.A.
As I somewhere north of Walker Lake probably 60 miles from nowhere, I notice an old man and his wife pulled over to the side of the 2-lane road, with him trying to change a tire. I pulled over to see if I could help. He was drenched in sweat and hadn't even gotten the car off the ground.
I told him to get in my truck, which I left idling with the A/C on.
I changed his tire and as I said goodbye, he offered to pay me for my help. Of course I refused and continued on to Fallon. A couple of weeks later a letter arrived at our station addressed to our OIC. It was a brief letter describing what happened and a check for $100.00. This was the early 90's and a hundred bucks went quite a bit further than it does now. He'd seen my Coast Guard Base Pass and had called every base within 300 miles looking for a vehicle that matched mine (My truck had an unusual paint job).
I wrote him a return letter, thanking him for taking the time to track me down, but adding that only a thanks is required and if my grandfather were broken down in the desert, I'd hope that someone would stop and help him. I included the check and sent it back. The OIC put a letter in my file and we thought no more of it, until our base morale fund received an anonymous donation. Hmph. I guess he got the last word.
Oh, BTW... I'm an atheist. Did God send me?
-Jeff Khoury
----- Original Message -----
From: "revmaaatin"
To: "DSN KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 4, 2010 9:01:23 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific
Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: need new fork lower(s)
--- In DSN_KLR650%40yahoogroups.com, mark ward wrote:
SNIP
> I stopped at a truck-stop (In Kansas?) was laying on my back trying to get the glug back in, when a few guys From a group (of 10+-) "Christian Motorcyclist Assocician" came over and asked any thing we can do to help? I explained the plug and Broken ribs, and the need of 2 longer sticks or screwdrivers, (7-9inch's) and that the truck stop did not carry "Motorcycle" oil.
> They explained town was about 8 miles east, and Appologized that they were heading 10 miles SW. to HAVE a picknic. (and went back to the suvineer stand)
SNIP
>
> I HOPE AND PRAY THE "Christian Motorcyclist Association" GUYS HAD A GREAT DAY, AND THANKS FOR "ASKING"!
>
> (A time will come when you say lord! lord!)
>
> Mark (W. Mi.)
>
Mark,
Thanks for sharing your story.
I am guessing you did not ask for an application to CMA?
I am sorry that anyone professing to be Christian (or even a fellow rider) did not help you after stopping to inquire/help. Hopefully, not all that are CMA are this dense or heartless.
They appear to be have been 'posers'. (On Harley's?, hopefully not on KLR's....) Definitely bone-heads. frown.
Sometimes, even a poser can be motivated with, "Will you help me." Some folks are so dense they forget their humanity.
A second solution I have used--
Sept 2008, I motivated a guy to help with the offer of $3/mile to transport a KLR with a blown clutch 60 miles from the Great Basin in WY to Riverton, WY Kawasaki shop.
$3/mile: He perked right up.
What is the most amazing part of your story--is that 'God' sent someone to help, 2x. The second guy understood his part in humanity. smile. Hope you/us learned something as well.
In the days before 911, and lots of cell phones--
I attempted to help a lady outside the KCI airport, temps 100F+, who was walking--her car was seen on the shoulder (no building or services anywhere nearby). I had deliberately remained in the vehicle so as to to appear non-threating, but I guessed that she was so scared that she would rather die of heat exhaustion that accept help. I was in my military uniform--not that she would notice as she would not make eye contact with me, even through the open p/u truck window. I drove away, but later thought I could have at least followed at a distance to make sure she was at least safe while she walked.
One of my quadriplegic friends relates an incident where his electric wheel chair tumbled over on its side while exiting a not-so-accessible US Post Office. He remained helplessly strapped in the seat, his face nearly in the dirt, when a well meaning lady approached and asked,
"Do you need help?"
"No (edit) lady. I am just taking a break."
I say he was helpless--he was still armed with a quick wit, sharp tongue. He still laughs when he tells about the look on the ladies face--priceless.
Perhaps if there are some CMA members here on the list, they would forward Mark's story to "National" as an indication of what-not-to-do.
It is a poignant and timely reminder that we all can do a better job paying the rent on our own humanity.
revmaaatin.