Sigonella establishes first Military HOG® Chapter

Vol. I No. 1 Sigonella Military Chapter http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sigonella-Military-Chapter-HOG/1648232698520
March 12. 2010
Sigonella establishes first Military H.O.G.® Chapter
Members of the newly establlished Sigonella Military Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.®) Chapter hold up their new chapter’s flag after their first official meeting,
Oct. 23 at the Midtown Theaters on NAS I. The Sigonella Military Chapter is the first ever official military chapter sanctioned by H.O.G.®.
Article courtesy of
The Signature Staff
The first military chapter of the
Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.®)
was officially opened at a meeting
Oct. 23 on the support side of Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella.
H.O.G.® is the officially sanctioned motorcycle club of HarleyDavidson which has over 1,400
chapters in 130 countries worldwide.
Kris Schoonover, Director of
H.O.G.® Field Operations, oversaw
the inaugural meeting of the Sigonella Military H.O.G.® Chapter.
“The reason that this is a big deal
is because this is a military-dedicated H.O.G.® chapter,” Schoonover
said. “It’s basically meant to feel
like a U.S. chapter that is not on
U.S. soil. It’s just a way to promote
riding and having fun.”
Louis Genaro, president of the
new Sigonella chapter, believes this
new chapter is a great step forward
for H.O.G.® and its relationship
with the U.S. military.
“In my view I think it’s historic
because it’s the first military chapter,” Genaro said. “This will put
Sigonella on top and hopefully expand up out to other military bases
as Harley-Davidson expands.”
Genaro believes the H.O.G.®
chapter will bring service members
a much needed taste of home while
also allowing them to bond with
local nationals through joint events
with local motorcycle chapters.
“We’re planting a seed and we’re
going to watch it grow,” said Genaro. “That’s what’s going to happen
here and we’re going to have great
benefits reaped from it with the
community and the culture. Obviously we have relationships outside
of the base and that’s going to grow
more and more.”
Schoonover covered some of the
perks for members of H.O.G.® including a subscription to H.O.G.®
Magazine, roadside assistance and
numerous corporate partnerships,
but he believes those are all just
secondary to the real reward of being a member of H.O.G.®.
“The amount of connections
and friends that people make just
by being a member of H.O.G.® is
amazing,” Schoonover said. “I’ve
had some fantastic conversations
with people that I would never
have talked to, but I happen to
recognize the H.O.G.® symbol and
jsut start conversations which lead
to further friendships. H.O.G.® is
brotherhood, it’s a sisterhood, it’s a
family and it’s just a great organization to be a part of.”
Sigonella Chapter Director “Gee”
Good day Sigonella H.O.G.® members!
We’ve finally done it: the first Military Chapter has
been born right here in Sigonella (where we are usually the last to get things).
Well, we’re up and running and I’m looking forward
to doing some awesome events together in the future.
We have already completed several nice events in
our short run, which include fund-raisers, memorial
rides and football rallies. We have also done several
giveaways and now we have our very first newsletter to
kick off the start of our inaugural year. As we continue
on, I look to all of you as fellow members to do all you
can do to make this Chapter work. We will continue to
ride, BBQ and plan events together, as we continue to
spend time while stationed here in Sigonella, Sicily, as
part of this arena of extended family—the Motorcycle
Community!
Welcome aboard to all our Charter Members. Until
the next letter, RIDE SAFE SIGONELLA!
Louis “Gee” Genaro
Interested in joining the Sigonella Chapter?
Looking for some fun and adventure? Looking for something
to do on your tour in Sicily? Do
you own a Harley-Davidson or
Buell motorcycle? Come be a
part of the H.O.G.® Sigonella
Military Chapter—the First Official On-Base U.S. Military H.O.G.®
Chapter!
Over the past months, we have
been working with H.O.G.® to create a H.O.G.® Chapter especially
for the Military deployed overseas.
I am excited to say that we have
successfully launched the program
and would like to personally invite
you to join us.
The first official on-base meeting was held on October 23rd,
2009. Kris Schoonover, Director,
H.O.G.® Field Operations, was in
attendance and introduced us to
the world.
What connects you to HarleyDavidson® motorcycles? Chances
are you’re mildly obsessive about
riding. We know how you feel.
Our home is any road, any city, any
place we choose to gather. We are
more than a motorcycle club. We
share a boundless passion for an
American legend and the lifestyle it
has created throughout the world.
We are an American Chapter on
foreign soil associated with riders and passengers in more than a
thousand chapters worldwide, all
proud to be Harley Owners Group®
members.
If you are a member of the U.S.
Military, National Guard, Reserve
or civilian component (including
DOD contractors) you can join
our chapter and instantly gain new
friends and riding partners. Soon,
you’re riding hundreds of miles
with them. You’ll be exploring Sicily and other fantastic destinations
and drawing upon one another’s
experiences and exchanging road
stories.
The greatest value of the H.O.G.®
experience is the freedom to
choose what you want to get out
of it. Join simply to ride with other
Harley enthusiasts or become active in a chapter, attend as many
rides, chapter meetings and events
as possible.
For more information about
joining the Chapter, contact our
MembershipOfficer, Sarah Martin
at 624-5852.
Sigonella Harley Chapter in Action!
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Are You A Safe Rider?
The latest in an ongoing safety
awareness campaign from the
Harley-Davidson Military Sales
camp is a comprehensive two-part
program called Cycle Safe. This
safety message is sent out to all U.S.
Armed Forces, who take delivery
of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle
through Exchange New Car Sales
worldwide. Part one is a 40-minute
long public safety awareness announcement, entitled Military Riders Academy: Cycle Safe. This tutorial covers motorcycle safety issues
from the proper clothing to the
proper braking procedures. It was
produced specifically by HarleyDavidson Military Sales and represents their continued commitment
to keeping their military customers
safe while riding any motorcycle
anywhere and at any time.
Part two of this program offers up to a $200 reimbursement
of the motorcycle training course
fee at an industry approved Motorcycle Safety Foundation, dealer
sponsored Riders Edge, or any
other accredited basic riders training course. H.O.G members are
also entitled to an additional $50
completion of an approved rider’s course. Upon completion of
a course, reimbursement is sent
along with a Cycle Safe pin and
patch bearing the Military Riders Academy
Cycle Safe insignia.
“As one of the
largest distributors of
Harley-Davidson motorcycles, we have an
obligation to offer our
military customers as
much safety information as possible,” says
Steve Frisch, Senior VP of Corporate Retail Operations, Harley-Davidson Military Sales. “We encourage all military motorcycle riders
to take hands-on courses such as
those offered by the military, the
Motorcycle Safety Foundation
(MSF), and Harley-Davidson’s
Rider’s Edge. We plan to work in
partnership with
AAFES,
NEXCOM and all U.S.
Military Safety
Training Commands to get the
safe riding message across.”
Cycle Safe
Awareness Sessions are also
regularly scheduled at all HarleyDavidson Military Sales locations
overseas. After each safety awareness session, participants will engage in a lengthy safety discussion
with the session leader.
For more information on Harley-Davidson Military Sales, visit
www.encs.com. For more information on Military Riders Academy
Cycle Safe, or for a copy of the
safety program, contact Michelle
Hanson at 516-682-8669 or email:
[email protected].
Sigonella salutes our vets!
™
CHAPTER OFFICERS
Director: Louis “Gee” Genaro
Assistant Director: Roland McCoy
Treasurer: Larry Klayko
Secretary: James Sharp
H-D Road Captain: Mike Kittle
Road Captain: Bret Skeet
Webmaster: Erin Martin
Activities: Carolyn Kittle
Membership: Sarah Martin
Photos: Jill Skeet
12 November 2009—In observation of Veteran’s
Day, The HOG Sigonella Military Chapter takes a moment to remember those in the fight for freedom. A
day not forgotten by local riders from various groups
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
Dealership & Catanzaro HOG Chapter Meeting
Type: Group Trip
Start Time: Friday, March 26, 2010 at 9:00am
End Time: Sunday, March 28, 2010 at 12:00pm
Location: Catanzaro HD Dealership
Street: Via Lucrezia della Valle 53
in Sicily, such as the Vietnam Vets, Liars Club and
Sigonella Military Chapter, joined forces to pay respect
to all who had given their all, The gift of life, for their
country. We will remember always!
Editor: Chris Delano
Lady Of Harley: Kim Delano
Historian: Chris Wimmer
Current Member Count: 42
Chapter Sponsor:
Palazzolo Sight Seeing Run
Type: Daytrip
Date: Saturday, April 17, 2010
Time: 9:00am - 6:00pm
Location: Teatro Greco outside Palazzolo
Suggestions for this newsletter?
E-mail: [email protected]
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