MLG motorcyclist unite for bash at the beach

Photo By Cpl. Meghan Canlas | Motorcyclist from 2nd Marine Logistics Group attend the first annual Motorcycle Club Beach Bash at Camp Lejeune, Sept. 19, 2008. The event was held to promote and provide information on motorcycle safety and responsible riding.  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

10.01.2008

Story by Lance Cpl. Meghan Canlas 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

2nd Marine Logistics Group

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Second Marine Logistics Group hosted the first annual Motorcycle Club Beach Bash, here, Sept. 19, 2008, to provide information on motorcycle safety and promote responsible riding.

The event was organized by the 2nd MLG's safety officer, Lt. Cmdr. Paul B. Durand, who intended to bring all of the group's separate motorcycle clubs together for a fun and informative afternoon.

"Each of our motorcycle clubs is really independent," explained Durand. "The idea was to bring the clubs together, so they could enjoy some fellowship while discussing safety."

All the participating 2nd MLG Motorcycle Club members were provided safety information and literature that focused on responsible individual and group riding.

The bash included several vendors that displayed the latest models of motorcycles and protective gear, such as helmets, gloves, vest and boots. Hotdogs, hamburgers and other refreshments were provided by Marine Corps Community Services.

A light-hearted and comical motorcycle competition was also held, judging riders on categories such as: ugliest motorcycle, ugliest helmet, smallest windshield and fattest tire. Some more serious categories included: best cruiser and best sport bike.

Durand has great expectations for the next Motorcycle Club Beach Bash.

"I hope to make it bigger next year and have more participants from our other major subordinate commands," Durand said. "I expect to have more vendors participate and have more prizes for the competition."

Durand is happy with the outcome of the event and is confident that it will have a positive impact on motorcycle safety within the group.

"This was highly successful," stated Durand. "We had a little over 200 riders and that's great considering it was our first event."

Marine Corps senior leadership called fiscal year 2008 a particularly deadly year for the Corp's motorcycle riders; there were 23 fatal motorcycle mishaps alone.
The 2nd MLG Motorcycle Club Beach Bash is a step in the right direction for the Marine Corps, which hopes to cut the amounts of motorcycle related incidents and deaths.

"Losing one Marine is too many, because they are the most precious thing we have in the Marine Corps," said Sgt. Maj. Of the Marine Corps, Carlton W. Kent. "It's a shame when you have a Marine who does three tours in combat, comes back safe and gets killed on a motorcycle."

• Date Taken: 10.01.2008
• Date Posted: 10.01.2008 18:31
• Story ID: 24388
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US