My absent

[SABRE]

XI family,

Please understand this message is a little long and if you do read the entire message, thank you.

I want to first start off by saying i am sorry that i have been away from the game for 2 weeks now and neglecting my duties as an admin. As some of you already know, I am big into Harley Davidson motorcycles. I love riding them and feeling the air in my face....it relaxes me after a hard day or hard week at work. 

Some of you know that I ride for an motorcycle club called Thin Blue Line LEMC, which is a law enforcement motorcycle club. I have been with this family for years in Houston, Texas and then when i moved to Florida, I stated another chapter. Every year in July, we as a family celebrate our birthday in the hill country of Texas, about 80 miles west of San Antonio, TX.  

during the days of July 15th through the 19th, I rode my back from SW Florida to west Texas to attend our birthday celebration. On Saturday July 18th, 2020 there was a ride of around 35 members who decided to go out and enjoy the nice sunny day and do some sightseeing. I was on this ride in formation (lined up number 4th in the pack) up to about two minutes before my brothers left. For some strange reason, I agreed with a friend of mine from the Louisianan chapter to take a shorter route and go grab some lunch with him and two other members from my Florida Chapter. Why I agreed to jump out of formation and go on a shorter ride I will never know because  everyone who knows me, knows I like to ride and the distance never bothers me, but I did jump formation and go on a shorter ride with a few friends of mine.  A little after 12pm that day ,  the larger group was coming back to our camp grounds when an illegal immigrant  came in to their lane head on and killing the first three brother of mine on impact and critically injuring 4 other brothers of mine and their wives. 

For the first time in my life, I was scared to get back on my bike. But i knew I had to because I had to lead my chapter back from west Texas to SW Florida....a 1500 mile trip. one part of my ride back I was going through the state of Louisianan and I stated noticing people driving by my formation honker their horns and waving at us. It brought tears to my eyes as this took place because it gave me hope and it let me know that I had some type of angel watching over me on that Saturday and on my ride back to Florida. 

Now I am flying to Chicago to bury two of my brothers this coming up week and it is another trip I do not want to make because I have been to too many funerals in my life time with the Marine Corp and now my TBL family. I am hurting, but i know in time I will be OK and I soon will be back on my bike.

Some of my family has asked me to not get back on my bike, but i have explained to them that if i should die due to an accident on my bike, just know that I went out a happy person and I was doing the one thing i love most in this world and that is riding my bike. 

I will try to get back on some time this weekend just to be around some people that i enjoy. 

I am going to post two article on this message about the accident. One is from fox news (the link) and the other is a tribute from another rider in Atalanta that is on you tube. you can watch them if you want to....that is up to you.

 

https://video.foxnews.com/v/6174675065001#sp=show-clips

 

Edited July 25, 2020 by SABRE

[RobMc]

Get back on the bike, it is not the bikes that kill you but the cars (I speak from experience) your brothers would wish no more, and if they were still alive would say exactly the same, ride your bike and enjoy life.

[Kitsune]

Wow this is heartbreaking. I'm so, so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and the families of those lost.

[chewonmysax]

Awful tragedy, prayers to everyone impacted. Continue to ride, do what you love and what your brothers loved doing.

[Timmah!]

I feel your loss.  Happened to me (losing many friends) on May 14 1988.  Left a major hole in my life then.  Only thing you can do is grieve & be thankful for the times you've had wtih those about whom you care.  Be well, man.

[Hunter1948]

That is alot to go through, my prayers go out to the family's. Take your time I'm sure you will get through it with time.

[FUNky]

So sorry to hear this Brother. I will remember you in my prayers, you can get through this pain.
 

 

[Roxy!]

Sabre Im so so for your loss take your time, your virtual family will be here waiting for you whenever you are ready. 

[Angelz]

I am so sorry for your loss!!

Thoughts and prayers to all who were injured and lost, their families and friends!!!

[HarryWeezer]

I am so sorry for the loss of your brothers. Thank you for a lifetime of service to America!!!

[lTplkey336]

My thoughts and prayers to you and your friends you lost and their families. Hope you come around to riding your bike again. Just take it slow if you must.

[loaderXI]

Gut wrenching news  Just remember all those other riders need you and your support...May the fallen Rest in Paradise and the wounded have a speedy and full recovery...I will be Praying for all involved !

[AthenA]

It is completely heart breaking, Sabre, and I'm so sorry for your loss. As far as your decision to take that short road ? You'll never know, but I strongly believe that everything happens for a reason in life... you and your wife are safe.

You'll all be in my prayers and your brother's families as well. May they rest in peace...

[Mazdarati]

I'm so sorry , Prayers to you and all the families involved 

[Giggles]

SO sorry to hear of this loses in your life . Many HUGS and prayers for all of those lost and the family's. God Bless . Be safe and keep riding cuz now when you ride they ride with you.

[GhostfaceJim]

Sorry to hear about that!  Hopeing everyone best wishes.

[Lovyan]

Thats such a sad story! Im Really sad that that has happened to you.. Thank you for our Services... I hope you feel better soon.. we will always be here .. Just remember that..

*Hugs*

So Sorry you lost your friends like that... Prayers to their family and you of course

[AlphaDog]

First of all, my condolences for the tragic loss of your brothers. It hits all of us in the Motorcycle community. Very tragic and sad.

Second, Thank you for your service!

I have also lost brothers to tragic accidents, it never gets easier. I currently have a great friend in a brain rehabilitation home in PA because a driver decided she did not want to turn, and went straight through a red light at the last second and hit him. We do not think he will ever recover.

My wife and I also LOVE to ride, there is no greater freedom. I share your motto, that if i die while riding, at least i died doing what i love.

So my condolences to you, your extended biker family and all the loved ones impacted by this tragedy! 

 

Edited July 27, 2020 by AlphaDog

[Sixgun]

Sorry brother!! If you need me for anything please let me know. You know I am always here for you!!

[ANGUS]

Sabre my friend, I just wanted to let you know you have been in GG and I hearts and thoughts and prayers  these last few days, I watched and waited as you got home safely to the family that i'm sure was happy to see you beyond words..No words will take the pain away of you losing the members of the extended family you have in your club. But just know we are all here..As you stated , Getting back out will be hard, But your heart and soul will need it...Dealing with this kind of loss is very hard, But ride with them in your heart and never forget them... This XI family is here for you also...

[WldPenguin]

Beautifully said, @ANGU5

[HudsoN]

prayers to you and your brothers. Don't stay off the bike. just ride and keep on riding. if bikes is what you like doing don't ever stop your brothers would say the same thing. my brother is also a biker here in the uk a member of many biker groups, tha same kind of thing happened to him a few years back. andy {killingman) had a head on a while back and very lucky to still be with us, talk to andy he is still on his bike won't go far without it. best of luck man be strong and stay safe.