4 Years!

[motomama]

How many of you remember what you were doing four years ago today?  It was a day I will definitely never forget!  Due to a negligent driver, we nearly lost him!  I will never forget that dreaded phone call, nor will I ever forget all of the support we received from our family and friends...most particularly the VRCC family!  You guys are AWESOME!  And Thanks again for everything you all did during that time and the months to follow!  Praise the Lord that Carl is still with us and riding!

[Jabba]

 

Jabba is glad he's with us too.

Jabba

[Jack]

Carl is one of my favorite people.  I have a ton of respect for him.

[R J]

Lori, glad he is still with us also.       He is one tough ole Gunney Sgt.

[Dave Ritsema]

Actually I remember it well.

I was working my shift at the fire department and had just gotten back from a bad call and got the news about Carl.

I am working at the station today as well and I do NOT want a repeat of that night. You take care of yourself mister!.

[RainMaker]

Hate seeing those pictures again.

Yes, I remember and I also remember the VRCC flooding the hospital with emails that they printed out and took to the room.  I wasn't there, but I remember the story.

Glad Willow bends but does not break.

[old2soon]

I wasn't on this board 4 years ago. But i'm damn glad i got to meet carl at Inzane-12. As others have stated-he are one of the gooder ones.  RIDE SAFE.

[Whooray]

Was great to meet him at Inzane. It sounds to me like it its celebration time!

[Detn8er]

What I remember most about that time is when Carl decided to shave the Moostash.......Don't ever do that again Mr. Willer Sir.......Oh The Horror!!!!   

[BigAl]

What I remember most about that time is when Carl decided to shave the Moostash.......Don't ever do that again Mr. Willer Sir.......Oh The Horror!!!!   

Yes that is the moment in time I remember too Mark the stash was gone.

Not a good time.

Neither was the accident.

Thanks to goodness he grew it back.

Amen

[3fan4life]

I remember.

Hard to believe that it has been 4 years.


Carl is a great guy..............

But you know they do say that behind every great guy is a wonderful woman.

[Pat S.]

Yea Lori I remember it well. Not long before that we lost Oldskool Steve Lucas.
Alot of hard prayers went out that night. Hey God listened

[HayHauler]

I had just joined the forum in May of that year.  I had gotten the bike late the year before and was doing some research  about...........tires and oil of all things. 
I saw the pictures of Carl's wreck and joined in on the prayers.  I didn't even know who he was, but from all of the posts on this board, I had a feeling he was someone special. Boy was I right!

Glad you are here Carl and I look forward to next time. 

Hay
Jimmyt

[Willow]

Thanks for the kind words and for the prayers and notes four years ago.  I do remember this day every year, but I hate having attention brought to it.  Others have certainly suffered more and benefitted less from it than I.

Glad Willow bends but does not break.

Honestly, I was quite broken.  It did bring about changes in my life.  I still ride scared most of the time I'm in traffic, but I ride because it's one of the things that moves my blood.

For anyone who didn't have the opportunity to experience the original event, you can look in on it here:

Link to the Last Ride of the Jade Phoenix Dragon  

[R J]

Good write Bro.     Only thing I would add is "run your high beam during daylight hours."

People do see a brighter light.     If ya look behind ya when group riding, the ones running low beam it looks like a weak match burning.

I picked up on this light thing shorty after my encounter with a cage in 1951.  I was on a CHP bike and even if the brakes would of held, that Harley would have been totaled anyway.   My guardian angel was riding with me that day.

[flsix]

A bitter sweet anniversary to be sure.
Glad you're doing better now Willow.
Ride safely everyone.

[Fudd]

I wasn't on this board 4 years ago. But i'm damn glad i got to meet carl at Inzane-12. As others have stated-he are one of the gooder ones.  RIDE SAFE.

I'll second that emotion.

[Momz]

Carl Holmes = Survivor

It wasn't your time to leave us bud.

[Tailgate Tommy]

I didn't realize how lucky I was to have the opportunity to meet you and shake your hand in the parking lot at Inzane this year. Glad I was able to do that!
tkylli 

[JDW365]

I like Hayhauler had just found the board and just purchased my Valkyrie. I remember the outpouring for Rhonda when OldSkool went down. I was really impressed with the way people responded. Then Carl went down and another flood of responses. I had not met a sole on this board, in fact I think my first posts were my best wishes and prayers for Rhonda and Lucas, and Carl. I remember sending ecards to Carl trying to wish him well, knowing he had no clue who I was. When I was finally able to meet up with some VRCC people Carl was one of the first I enjoyed meeting. I have learned a lot about riding and life from Carl, whether he knows it or not. I am truly blessed for knowing him and his bride.

JDW