to those who rocked the Cradle...

It was a pleasure and a privilege to have all of you here in the Philadelphia area, and for Jane and I to have you at our home.

I would be greatly remiss if I did not acknowledge the assistance given me by Dan Stocker, by Melissa, our event co-ordinator, and by Viper, who did the gut work of collating, binding, and staffing registration. She was rewarded by her sister with a 1979 CB 750.

I feel very badly that I wasn't able to entice the rest of our members to the Ride In so that it could have been a financial as well as a popular success. I attribute this only to a failure of leadership on my part, and, as a result, I have submitted my resignation as President of the VOAi to the Executive Board. I have the greatest copnfidence that RH, Z, KC, Beamer, and Taz will continue to provide you with the best value in motorcycling today.

It was a privilege to serve this extended family, and I am grateful for the fellowship I have enjoyed as part of the VOAi.

Best wishes,
Doug Scott

[Flamingobabe]

Doug, I'm sorry to hear that you are leaving your post as President. Hotglue and I did not make the ride-in this year due to his work and I mean lotttzzzz of work.  You or nothing else kept us from going to the ride-in, it was just too much work. I thought about y'all all last week, wishing we were there.

Just because you are stepping down, I expect to see you at other events. You have done a wonderful job as President. So don't take the blame for things that are out of your control.

We love you.

Flamingobabe & hotglue

[Hurricane]

to ride to the vicinity of NEW YORK CITY, but I really tried hard to make it, Bro, even to the point of mapping out a route and booking a room in Fayetteville in anticipation of overnighting it at the midpoint of my journey on the way up.  I just knew it would be a wonderful time with our beloved gang of scooter trash, and I truly cherish the many fine friends I've made in the VOAI.  But then my obligations to my parish church nailed my feet to the sand and necessitated my regrets-filled bailing out of the Ride-In I had been protecting on my calendar for months.  They (my parish) don't know how much of a sacrifice I regard it to have been there to welcome our new priest and his family to St. Mary's Church last Sunday.

The tone and character of this organization is greatly a function of the affable and dedicated leadership it has had the last few years, including you, especially, Doug.  If the Ride-In was not financially successful, I, for one, would be happy to send a late registration fee to put a few bucks where I wish my backside had been last week.

You've worked hard and well as our Supreme Commander, sir, and, if you want to slip the tedious mantle, you've deserved a rest.  But there ain't no valid ticket for a guilt trip if the Ride-In didn't best Sturgis.  Okay?

Jonathan

['KC']

Jonathan; I couldn't have said it better. Doug you, and your leadership will be sorely missed, and someone will have some mighty big boots to fill. But replacing you; NEVER.
Best wishes boss. Give the family all a big hug for me.

It sounds as if there were just a lot of things at work keeping a lot of us from making it.  For me and Rick, it was also a last minute decision caused by the fact that my still fairly new job basically panned out when the company lost its biggest (almost only) contract - which meant no work for me which meant no money.  So Hotglue couldn't make it due to too much work and I couldn't due to too little work!  There's some irony in there . . . somewhere . . .

Anyhow - I daresay the lack of ridership at the Ride-In had nothing to do with your leadership abilities - but I have to respect your decision to step down if that's what you feel is necessary.  We will miss you as president, of course, but we still expect to see you around - after all, Joy has two more years at St. Olaf, right???

Let us know when you'll be bringing her on over - let's see if we can manage to get together!

-Z in MN

Anyhow - I daresay the lack of ridership at the Ride-In had nothing to do with your leadership abilities

So, how many people did show up for the Ride In?

[Flamingobabe]

Hotglue here....
  FS, REALLY sorry we couldn't make it this year.... the 1st we've missed since the start.....  I thought as I got older I would come into the GOLDEN Years.. what the heck happened... Been working 100 hour weeks, ... offshore   can't even call home...../..... I'm BUMMMED that we didn'y make the ride-in... I know we missed a good time with GREAT People.  I'm looking forward to the time we can spend with our GREAT friends at the VOAi .....
  FS Love ya Bro... in a Manly way of course... do what's right for you and your's...
hg

[TAZ]

Well being one of the original VOAI THORS and riding or coming to every last one of the RIDE INS I have to admit, each and everyone has been great in it's own way and this year was no different. Everyone had  Great times with everyone that could come from close and afar, we missed greatly all the normal regulars.  As many as we had we still would have liked more of you, so if there are some place you like best to have a ride in coming up  let us know?  We want to know if out West is better or what.  Let us know realy!  The club tries very hard to make sure everyone in the club has a great time  during the year to get together and renew and or make new friends, this is our goal.  It might not be the show stopping show of Americade or Sturgis but a family reunion of sorts.  We hope you all understand that and come out to join everyone whenever possible. Every year brings new challenges and we understand that.  The important thing is for everyone to bond in their neck of the woods and bring excitement to the VALK and keep the spirit alive and have functions in your area and every year to get all your members or a bunch of them to attend our annual family reunion and support the club.   We don't sell or are in the business of selling  alot of stuff to raise money, we are a non-profit org and therefore we count on our annual ride in to raise money.  If no one shows up we still need to spend money to get the show on the road and then we lose money and therefore the club loses.   We must either continue to support our beloved club or lose it and I am sure we dont wish to do that.  

Lets rally around the VOAI and join up and support the greatest VOA club around, we are here for you and you are here for everyone in the club, valk or no valk you can still be a member.

JOIN US WITH FUN AND EXCITEMENT AS WE MOVE INTO 2005 WITH  GROWTH AND FUN TIMES FOR ALL.   YOUR IDEAS ARE ALWAYS APPRECIATED., JUST LET US KNOW.....WE ARE HERE FOR YOU......


TAZ

Doug,
Thanks for your kindness and hospitality in Valley Forge.  I greatly enjoyed getting to meet all of your family and having to opportunity to get to know them.  Whether the turn-out for the Ride- In is large or small doesn't matter, I had a great time in a lovely setting.  Thanks for all of your hard work and caring.
Blessings to all,
 - Doug

[TAZ]

OH YEA!  IT WAS GREAT I REALLY ENJOYED MYSELF AND SEEING EVERYONE AGAIN....LONG LIVE THE PREZ!!!

THANKS BRO AND FAMILY!

TAZ

[Parker]

...attended this year but alas I've got a full plate on  my hands. (Family member with Alzheimers.) I have really missed not connecting with my VOAi bros lately.

FS, you're a fine man and have done a wonderful job with this organization.
Hate to see you go, but, it's a decision only you can make. Godspeed.

TAZ, are we having a Baraboo event this year? I'll call next time I'm in Chitown.

Parker

[pierre]

Je voulais vous remercier vous et votre femme pour votre hospitalité.
Le retour c'est bien passé malgré la pluie!!!
Aucun accident à Albany pour le retour.
I want to thank you for th great weekend in Philadelphia.
You had a good organisation and i meet good people.
Merci beaucoup!

Hope I will see you on a rode in Canada.
Don't forget my Valkyrie coat?
Pierre