The comment about this event affecting the author deeply reminded me of a friend I had for one day and how deeply I was affected. It started with my friend Ron Harris posting on the Victory forum. This is the post:
"Well guys, yesterday, September 27 was my birthday, (56 y/o & 37 yrs on the job) and my gift to myself was signing my early retirement papers. My retirement starts November 1. I put a lot of thought into it, and decided now was a good time, rather than waiting until later. No one knows what the future has in store for us, and I knew this might be my best chance to retire early enough so I can still do some things I've been putting off. I want to do a road trip right away, before winter hits here. Then, after my winter projects are done, I plan to hit the road next year, so don't be suprised to see a familar speed yellow V92c going through your town. I hope to make it to more VMC events next year, and travel more. There is so much I still want to see, and experiance. I've lost some good friends along the way that died too young, and I'm pretty sure they would agree that I'm doing the right thing." Posted by Ron Harris, Bloomington, Indiana on Sept. 28, 2007
I connected and said he should come my way and meet some other Victory riders. He did and we spent the day with 4 or 5 of us on Oct 13. We made it to Rabbit Hash - a first for him. As the day wore on it dwindled down to Ron and I. We ended the day having dinner and a couple beers - like old friends. He headed out on a mini vacation exploring Kentucky.
A couple days later I got a horrible phone call by a stranger. Ron was killed on his bike in Kentucky - I suspect he had been visiting the Bourbon Trail as I had suggested. Copy of news:
"An Indiana man is killed when a car crashed into him in Scott County. It happened Tuesday afternoon along U.S. 460 near the Franklin County line.
Officials say the car crossed to centerline and hit Ronald Harris, 56, head on. The Scott County coroner pronounced Harris dead at the scene.
We're told Harris was from Bloomington and was travelling through Kentucky. Police say they do not suspect alcohol or speed contributed to the crash. Harris was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
No charges have been filed against the driver of the car."
I went to the funeral at special request of the stranger who had called - don't remember who it was. The family wanted to talk to me because I was the last person to talk to him as far as they knew. I rode my bike there - they had arranged for the Patriot Guard to escort him. I joined even though I'm not a vet.
It affected me so much that I created a file with these postings and these final musings from that difficult year:
"2007 was the year of motorcycle accidents – Ron Doxtater totaled his Rune, Chris Chisenhall wrecked his Honda f4i on Cherehala Skyway, Greg wrecked his Fatboy in North Carolina near the dragon – rear ended local rider.
NEVER FORGET LIFE IS SHORT"
So here's to my friend for a day - Ron Harris.
