THE ABATE UPDATE not claim it , but one of his many talents is seeing how the pieces fit together . He will tell us “ you take what is good and true and right and put it in one hand , and put what you want and desire to see happen in the other . In order for the best outcome to be brought to fruition , you must sweep those two hands across the dividing space between them - the “ Great What Is ”. Only by accepting the truth of what you face and the idiosyncrasies of the field of play , can you succeed .
So , “ what is ” in Oklahoma is an ABATE that has beaten back ( to a pulp ) roughly 7 pieces of legislation which would be detrimental to the mission of making Oklahoma a better , safer place for bikers , and passed 12 pieces TO the betterment of the riding public . In . The . Last . Nine . Years . That ’ s a lot of achievement for a non-professional advocate lobbying group !
When John moved here , it was with more than a little trepidation . Growing up in Kansas , he ’ d left behind certain aspects of plains life behind and , while he loved it , he loved Tennessee more . The night he and wife Chris made their final trip to their new home in Collinsville , he turned down a small , dark country road only to pull up short behind an actual , honest-to-goodness horse-drawn covered wagon . He thought , “ what on EARTH have we gotten ourselves into ?” He had a fulfilling life in Tennessee with a lot of good friends . He also held the position of membership director for the premier national street riders rights organization , the Motorcycle Rider ’ s Foundation . That didn ’ t change , but everything else sure did !
Once the Pierce ’ s planted themselves in Oklahoma , everything in their lives improved . Their family is nearby and they quickly integrated into groups that interest them , playing supporting roles in their neighborhood , town , and state . It has certainly been a win-win for all .
And now , it ’ s time for John Pierce to do other things ; to reward himself for a life full of admirable duty to country , community , state , and science , with time to do whatever he wishes , on his own timetable and terms . He has stepped down as ABATE of Oklahoma ’ s Legislative Chairman , but will continue working with a small group of ABATE members ( including Thunder Roads publisher T . Collier ) on the ODOT committee “ on all things motorcycle ” ( overseeing the funds paid in by motorcyclists to ensure they are properly spent on the right sorts of programs ) and helping with the Share The Road awareness program .
It ’ s time to have more than one many-state motorcycle tour per year . Time to work on his toys in his shop . Time to spend with four grandsons and a big , happy , energetic family . Time to investigate other fun , fulfilling adventures . Time to lay down more memories doing new things . John has a mindset about doing many things in one ’ s life . “ When I get to the point where I can ’ t really do much anymore , I want to envision my memories as planks on a porch . I may end up in a rocking chair , but that chair will sit upon an interestingly made porch of memory ”. Well , those closest to him know that John is no where near ready for a rocking chair , and likely will have to envision quite a bigger porch before that chair is needed .
Please join ABATE of Oklahoma in thanking John for his service to the bikers of the state ; and the nation . We are not done with you yet , sir , but Go ! Do ! Be ! And don ’ t forget , we shall see you at the next meeting .
Thunder Roads Magazine of OK / AR 11