Sgt. Gary Morales - Killed In The Line Of Duty

At 9:30 AM, 1March 2013 Sgt. Gary Morales was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Fort Pierce, Florida. Gary was a 13 year member of the St. Lucie County Sheriff' 's Office. Sgt. Morales was a former member of the US Air Force and recently completed a Masters Degree and promoted to Sgt just 41 days earlier. He was married with two young children.
On 4 March 2013 I attended the funeral of Sgt. Morales along with many other Blue Knights from Florida and hundreds/thousands of police officers from all corners of the USA.  A second St. Lucie County officer was also shot on the same morning in an unrelated incident and is expected to survive. Unfortunately this is not an uncommon incident in Florida.

New Member - 19 FEB 2013

On  19 FEB 2013 Jean Roch G. was inducted into Blue Knights Ontario II in Vero Beach, Florida by  Chapter President Ron L. The photo was taken by fellow Ontario II member Mike B.  All three who winter in different locations of Florida met in Vero Beach for lunch and to welcome Jean Roch into our Chapter.

Ottawa International Motorcycle Show - 11-13 JAN 2013

January 11, 12 and 13 2013 was the Ottawa International Motorcycle show.

Paul K. and Mark S. (BK Ontario II members) are the organizers of the Law Enforcement Torch Ride – Eastern Ontario Region which benefits Special Olympics Ontario. We had a booth at the show where we were promoting the ride. Paul K. was in BK attire and I was in Torch Ride attire. What we found was that many people wanted to stop and chat with us because they recognized the Blue Knights logo’s and most knew the relationship with law Enforcement and Blue Knights.

Throughout the weekend we saw BK members like Holly R. and Stu F. who were in uniform and visiting the Ottawa Police Service Booth and many active and retired peace officers from city/OPP, Military Police, Corrections and RCMP. All who stop and chatted were really open to the Law Enforcement Torch Ride and Blue Knights. All Law Enforcement members were given contact info for our chapter and invited to come out and join us at Perkins.

ON Saturday  evening Greg D. dropped by the booth and helped out . On Sunday Paul K. looked after the booth with Greg D., Lisa C., Jeff W., and Stu f. shared in the experience.

I want to take this time to thank everyone that showed up to help. All in all the weekend was a great success not only for the promotion of the Torch Ride but the Blue Knight recruitment initiative.

There were a few Bike Groups who had booths like Ride for Dad, Cav, Canadian Veterans, Highway Hero’s Ride, UN/NATO riders, Motor Maids, ETC. We have made some really great connections with this venue and I would like to see more of the Blue Knights out next year.

Christmas Party - Florida XII 7 DEC 2012

Florida Xll (Space Coast) held their 2012 Christmas party at a local hotel ballroom. Arabella and I from Ontario II joined them for the festivities and a great meal. Before the dancing started, the members took part in a progressive gift exchange. Each person opened a wrapped gift, however the person next in line was able to claim any gift that was already opened (one time only) until all the gifts were opened. The person who opened the first gift was the last person who could claim any gift.




Florida XII was able to refurbish their new "Blue Knight" (at least 9 feet tall) just in time for the party.
The Boys



The Girls

Christmas Toy Ride - Brevard County, Florida 2 DEC 2012

The 30th Annual  Brevard Toy Ride organized by ABATE Florida was held on 2 DEC 2012. Over 6000 bikes arrived for the ride at the Merritt Island Mall. This was a Police Escorted ride. We departed at 12:00 noon and proceeded to Wickham park in Melbourne which took one hour. We entered the park, where all the toys were gathered for needy children, stayed for an hour and bikes were still arriving.


Thousands of bikes lining up in the parking lot
Mr. and Mrs. S. Claus



The Police Motorcycle Escort Units from various law Enforcement agencies in Brevard County.


Santa has a bike too.


And a Sleigh


Blue Knights were well represented with members from numerous central Florida chapters.

Veterans Day Celebration - Navy Seals 10 NOV 2012

Blue Knights were invited to attend the 50th Anniversary of the Navy SEALS and Veterans Day Celebrations in Fort Pierce, Florida. We arrived at the ocean side Navy Seal Museum on Highway A1A. We knew that one of the Navy Seal Teams would be there, however I did not expecting them to make such a dramatic entrance. The sound of attack helicopters was heard as they entered the park at tree top level from the Atlantic ocean. The dust and sand were kicking up and it mixed with smoke grenades and gun fire from snipers and the helicopters as Seal Team 8 rappelled to the ground. After a short battle with Terrorists on the ground the area was secured for the ceremony.

Next came a number of Navy SEALS with precision landing with their service flags and the Stars and Stripes. After the official program concluded we were able to meet with members of Navy SEAL Team 8.





                                                          

As I was returning to my bike I noticed a gentlemen walking in my direction. If you are a follower of the reality show Survivor, you may recognize ``Rudy``. I spoke to him and he recognized my Chapter patch which identified me to be from Ottawa. Being a Rochester, NY resident we agreed it was good to be in Florida at that time of year. Rudy was one of the original Navy SEALS and was an invited guest for the  ceremony. He is in the 80 year old range and still looking fit.