Iron Warriors MC Nation

Taken from Clayton News Daily
retrieved 1-10-10
http://www.mycountypaper.com/claytonfeatures/headlines/80071732.html?storySection=comments

By Johnny Jackson
jjackson@henryherald.com

Rocky Rhodes has been working 10- to 12-hour shifts every day for a month.

“It’s tough, and it’s tiring,” the 37-year-old union worker said.

Rhodes, a McDonough native who currently lives in Mableton, is a recently-divorced single father, with full custody of his 4-year-old daughter, Gracey.

He pulled the long hours as a millwright for Union No. 1263 in Atlanta, to provide the kind of Christmas he wanted his child to have.

Members of the Iron Warriors Motorcycle Club learned of his plight and sprang into action, offering help. The non-profit, community-support motorcycle club, which chartered its first Georgia chapter in June, adopted Gracey for Christmas.

“We provided a $100 gift card for the father,” said Carol Wood, a member of the club and a training instructor with the Henry County Police Department. “We asked everybody to bring a gift, and everybody brought several gifts.”

The 19-member organization donated items of clothing, learning games, dolls, and stuffed animals, during its December monthly meeting.

The club’s support for Rhodes and his daughter came by happenstance, according to Wood.

One day in November, Wood noticed a pile of used clothing near her friend, and co-worker, Rhonda Ricci’s desk. She asked about them.

Ricci, the executive assistant to Henry County Police Chief Russell Abernathy, said she bought the clothes from a consignment sale at her church to give them to her niece, Gracey.

“I told her that I try to pick up something here and there, when I can,” said Ricci. “I shared the story with her — didn’t know that she was a member of a motorcycle club, or that they adopted children. I didn’t know any of that.”
Ricci said she told Wood of her brother’s recent struggles after becoming divorced, and how he is raising his daughter as he pursues schooling to become a master welder.

“I guess it’s hard enough for a dad to raise a girl on his own,” Ricci said. “He gets up at 4 o’clock in the morning to go to work, and he works paycheck to paycheck.”

Wood said she took the story back to other members of the Iron Warriors Motorcycle Club. They agreed to adopt Gracey for Christmas, and provide her with clothes and toys.

“Everybody just got really excited,” Wood said. “It was just absolutely wonderful. We made a very special day with that girl that I don’t think she will ever forget.”

Ricci said her brother welcomed the motorcycle club’s help.

“He was overwhelmed,” she said.

“When you get down and you feel like you’re stuck in a rut, and you have people like the Iron Warriors ... it’s an uplifting experience. I truly feel blessed having them in my life,” Rhodes said recently.

“Gracey is older than her age,” he added. “She has accepted all of the changes, and she’s asked for so little. She’s really a great kid.”

Rhodes’ sister believes her brother, and niece, have enriched each others’ lives despite their circumstances.

“When he had Gracey, it changed his life,” Ricci said. “He’s a hard worker and he wants a better life for his daughter. My hope is that they continue to be blessed with wonderful friends, a job, good health, and having each other. They’re going to have to lean on each other. I think he will do fine. I’m his biggest fan.”

As for Rhodes, he plans to spend time with his daughter this holiday season, teaching her how to ride her new bike.

A toast to you my Iron Warrior brothers and sisters!
This past year has came and gone!

We Have laughed and we have cried!
We have fought hard on that "Thin Blue Line!"

We run into the gunfight, we put out the fire!

We have lost Iron Warrior brothers and sisters, sometimes i wonder, 
Does anyone really care?

I look out at you; I see your Iron Warrior vest you wear!
You wear it with pride, because you the Iron Warriors are always there!

Your hearts are large, but I know you are tuff!
I also am an Iron Warrior. "I love you so much!"

So to you the Fireman and the Policeman as well,
be careful out there, our work is pure HELL!

I salute you my brother, with this i say, to our fallen comrade Iron Warriors I toast you today!

Let us stand and fight once more, the fire the criminal, who will be the first thru the door?

So, yes we are Iron Warriors, our colors we wear with pride! So lets get on our Harleys and " BY GOD LETS RIDE!"
 
WRITTEN BY,
MIKE " BIG DADDY" SHIPMAN
STATE LINE CHAPTER, MISSISSIPPI

State Line Chapter, Mississippi
October 26-2009

We have just gotten our web page up and going. We have a lot we eventually want to add, but we do have a web page. I would like to say thank you to "VIDEO'S" son for getting this up and running for our chapter. I see good things to come! Also our club is no better than its members and great job Iron Warriors or the State Line Chapter! Each one of you is the reason the State Line Chapter is known thru out the Iron Warrior Chapters. Lets keep moving foward!

Don't forget our Oct fest in Corinth hosted by the state Line Chapter Oct 30 - Nov 1 2009. We hope to have a grand weekend. Also on that Saturday we are riding over to Burnsville to ride in the POKER run there for the Fire Dept. Lets really turn out and support this fund raiser. They are going to feed us after the ride. They are a great bunch at the Burnsville F.D. I was Police Chief there for about 2 years and they were always there to help!

OK enought said for now, so lets get out and ride next weekend and have a great time with the State Line Chapter and Friends!

BIG DADDY STATE LINE CHAPTER IRON WARRIORS

posted 9-21-09
email received 9-16-09

Thank you to Mike Shipman for sending the following email.  Click the link at the bottom of the email for a video news story from Fox in Memphis:

Several iron warriors recently made a road trip to the Olive Branch police dept to see Officer Mark Ayers. He was shot twice back in June 2006. Another officer was also shot. The search for the suspect is still active. There is a reward fund and the state line chapter gave $10,000.00 cash toward the reward! Americas most wanted has aired several stories about this case and when Mike Shipman "Big Daddy" of the IWMC heard AMW was about to air an up date he and the state line chapter went to work to up the reward! "I think with another ten thousand dollars in this reward fund someone may come forward with info so we can arrest this sorry low life son of a bitch! He shot two officers and left them for dead."

But both officers, Ayers and Stanek are back at work! Officer Ayers is in a wheelchair but works every day. We hope before long Officer Ayers is a new member in the Iron Warriors! These two officers are true IRON WARRIORS in my book!

Video Story

posted 9-27-09

Several IWMC events have just taken place this last weekend, Sept. 25-27....Don't forget to share your pictures at Photobucket where all other IWMC Nation pictures are being hosted. Check out our photos:  Photobucket

Simple Steps:(or download the instructions with pics here)

1.  Next to the Group Album Title-Click on the link that says ‘add photos and video to this group’

2.  If you have an account with Photobucket, login and upload your photos. 

3.  If you do not have a Photobucket account, start a free account and upload your photos. 

4.  Photos will be approved before they will appear for everyone’s viewing.  Have fun and keep it clean.

Be sure to visits all regions to see what's going on across the IWMC Nation!!!  You can even upload your own photos... see the yellow text below for instructions.

Central Region

Eastern Region

Northeastern Region

Southern Region

Talladega Speedway

Western Region

Sunday, May 10, 2009
Omaha, NE

1st Annual Nebraska Law Ride a Success

(video at the end of the donors list)

A sight to behold; approximately 130 motorcycles transporting over 200 individuals made their way from Omaha, to Lincoln, and finally Grand Island, in a show of support for 130 law enforcement officers who gave their lives in the line of duty.  The result of the ride:  $4,334 was raised for the Law Enforcement Memorial project in Grand Island.

With outstanding cooperation and support, police escorts in Omaha and Lincoln set the tone for a safe ride... the riders made the 155 mile trek without incident.  Riders spoke very highly of the ride, some saying, "I've never been on a ride where we didn't have to stop for red lights and stop signs, that was cool!".  Others made comments about friends and family  in law enforcement and that this memorial was a long time coming, and the ride was a great way to memorialize those individuals.  One individual in particular was ecstatic about the ride.  Chriss Furrer-Springer never met her father, Officer Furrer; he lost his life two months before she was born.  His name is engraved on the National Police Memorial in Washington D.C. and now he will be forever remembered on the Nebraska Law Enforcement Memorial as well.

The Iron Warriors MC of Nebraska was pleased to have the help and support of other Law Enforcement and Military Motorcycle Clubs.  The Reguladores Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, Americas Guardians MC and Blue Knights MC played an important role in the ride by manning registration tables and picking up needed supplies in Lincoln and Grand Island alongside members of the IWMC.  Iron Warriors from Central Iowa were also in attendance;  The day proved to be a great opportunity for these clubs to build their relationships and work in support of peers who have gone before them.

Nebraska weather also played a vital role in the success of Saturday's ride; with temperatures in the 60s it was a perfect day to ride, be with friends, and to honor those friends, family and community members who chose to serve and protect and paid the ultimate sacrifice in doing so.

March 2009

EMBROIDERY!!!
January 2009

Need someone to make your name tabs, chapter distinction and officer patches?  Mr. Clean and Ajax of the River City Chapter of the IWMC and Order of the Garter bought an embroidery machine.  See some examples of the custom patchwork they can do for you and your club.