Do not stand at our graves and weep, we are not there, we do not sleep, we are a thousand winds that blow and diamond glints upon the snow. We are the sun on ripened grain, the soft and gentle autumn rain. When you wake in the mornings hush we are the swift uplifting rush of quite birds in circling flight, and the timeless stars that shine at night. So do not stand at our graves and cry for we are not there we did not die.

We've found those silver highways long and free that have been beckoning and calling us. Our hearts are on fire with lovely scenes of wooded hills and sunlit streams, of meadows washed with golden hue beneath a sky of brilliant blue. We're here to see that each splendid scene, red desert sands and forest green---

so to you that we have left behind, there is no need to set and cry, as you can see we did not die.

Clark Sampont

In Memory of Our Fallen Brothers

In 2006 our friend and Chapter member Mopar (Mark Rogers) died and

there wasn't a Memorial Board for downed riders in our area. The St. Joe

River Riders, Abate of North Idaho, asked John Hammer of Hammer

Creations in Spokane, to make a steel eagle for the memorial, as an

Eagle flew over our bikes during the memorial parade. Chapter members

Bill and Cheryl Hartman who own Bailey's Bar in Bovill offered their

business as a permanent location for the Plaque. On June 23rd over 50

people were present to dedicate the Plaque to Mopar and add 17 other

downed riders names. Each year in June we will have our annual Memory

Run and at that time we will place any new names we have received during

the year.

If anyone wishes to place a name of a brother/sister on the

board there is a form to be filled out and sent into the Chapter. After

the Chapter secretary receives the form, the contact person will be

notified we have received the request, and the correct spelling of the

name of the deceased and the year of death will be verified. The

following June all of those contact people will be called and reminded

of the time and date of the Memory run when their loved one will be

placed on the Plaque. All of the names are engraved in black on gold by

a jeweler and screwed into the wood portion of the Board. Call Les

Burton-Coordinator (208 582 0666 ) if you have any questions or e-mail

him at shovelhead2@saintmarieswireless.com.

These thoughts and words are reprinted from past editions of the ABATE of North Idaho, Inc. newsletter and have been written by ABATE of North Idaho, Inc. members.

This page is dedicated to and in memory of this organizations ardent supporters, our members and those who have made significant contributions to our motorcycling community. We do miss them... still.

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