I’m not here to crash the party…

I wanted to come over here and thank a few of you. SouthernGirl and Trek420 specifically.

I am a Soldier currently deployed to Iraq. On another forum, I ask if anyone had a Mountain Bike to sell me. Maybe an older one that wasn’t ridden any longer. I own a couple of Cannondales, but didn’t want them shipped over here. I wanted a bike I could leave for the next Soldier when I come home.

I used to be an avid rider and raced cross-country all over Germany. In 1997 I crashed down a mountain coming off a 30 foot jump when the pin holding my rear suspension sheered. I broke my back and cracked a hip. That was a long recovery, but here I am still in the Army, and still riding, although my racing days are long past.

In any case, a few people on our camping forum including SouthernGirl all offered to help me out with a bike, and wouldn’t take any money from me. I now have a fine Tempest GT and a good set of tires just arrived today. I will be ridding very soon and that will be a huge stress release for me.

SouthernGirl and Treck420 sent me the inner tubes, water bottle, energy bars and a helmet (and they guessed the right size). I am all set and I thank all of you that contributed to me and any other Soldier here you have helped. I have been in the Army for 22 years, and I do what I do because I believe in our Country, I believe in the good of our citizens, I believe in you.

You have made an old Soldier very happy and very proud to serve such fine people. I truely thank you all.

Bruce

http://www.mikenchell.com/forums/ima...e8c727f143.jpg

We have some pretty awesome ladies here!:cool:

Oh, and Bruce, don't worry about crashing our party - everyone is welcome here!

Take care.

Master Sergeant! I'm sorry to say that I was not in on it, but I'm so happy that you got the bike! My son spent a year where you are (and could go back soon), so I know how thrilled I was when wonderful people were so thoughtful to him. There are some great people here and not all are women! Welcome.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO!!! enjoy the bike!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MSG Hall

I wanted to come over here and thank a few of you. SouthernGirl and Trek420 specifically.

I am a Soldier currently deployed to Iraq. On another forum, I ask if anyone had a Mountain Bike to sell me. Maybe an older one that wasn’t ridden any longer. I own a couple of Cannondales, but didn’t want them shipped over here. I wanted a bike I could leave for the next Soldier when I come home.

I used to be an avid rider and raced cross-country all over Germany. In 1997 I crashed down a mountain coming off a 30 foot jump when the pin holding my rear suspension sheered. I broke my back and cracked a hip. That was a long recovery, but here I am still in the Army, and still riding, although my racing days are long past.

In any case, a few people on our camping forum including SouthernGirl all offered to help me out with a bike, and wouldn’t take any money from me. I now have a fine Tempest GT and a good set of tires just arrived today. I will be ridding very soon and that will be a huge stress release for me.

SouthernGirl and Treck420 sent me the inner tubes, water bottle, energy bars and a helmet (and they guessed the right size). I am all set and I thank all of you that contributed to me and any other Soldier here you have helped. I have been in the Army for 22 years, and I do what I do because I believe in our Country, I believe in the good of our citizens, I believe in you.

You have made an old Soldier very happy and very proud to serve such fine people. I truely thank you all.

Bruce

http://www.mikenchell.com/forums/ima...e8c727f143.jpg

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Bruce, So glad you have a bike to ride now, and yes riding is a great stress reducer especially where you are. Stay safe over there and May God Bless and keep all of you out of harms way. Jennifer

btw- My brother in law is an Army captain and he's over there too.

Bruce, Thank you for your post and enjoy the bike and stay safe!!

Thank you for your service, Bruce! So glad you got a bike!

Karen

Happy Thanksgiving, Bruce! We are thankful for you! Thank you for serving our country. May God bless and protect you,

Liberty

This is awesome and a well-timed reminder that there are good people out there.

SouthernGirl and Trek, you ladies are terrific.

Bruce, I think it's especially great that you plan on leaving your new bike for someone else to use when you come home. I hope you enjoy every mile you get on it until that time, and then I hope you doubly enjoy your Cannondales when you get back. And welcome to TE!

What a great post! And I too would like to thank you for your service!

Hey Bruce!

Glad you find the place. We'll let you stay if you behave. :p

About to go ride even though it's cold out!

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Originally Posted by snapdragen

We have some pretty awesome ladies here!:cool:

Oh, and Bruce, don't worry about crashing our party - everyone is welcome here!

Take care.

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Yes we do have some incredible gals here (and a few guys:rolleyes: )!

Bruce, you're welcome. Ride safely, well and often. We'd love to hear the ride reports from there and hope soon to hear that you're home with your beloved Cannondales (and family). They miss you ;)

I'm glad that you got the stuff and as soon as I wipe the tears I'm gonna go on a short ride.

Bruce, first and foremost thank you for your service to our country. Soldiers are the thread that keep this country together and strong, and you are a hero to us all.
Second- enjoy the heck out of that bike!!! Ride like a maniac over there, and get rid of some of that excess stress that I KNOW all you men and women over there have.
Thank you, God Bless you and your fellow soldiers, and enjoy the ride!! :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MSG Hall

I have been in the Army for 22 years, and I do what I do because I believe in our Country, I believe in the good of our citizens, I believe in you.

You have made an old Soldier very happy and very proud to serve such fine people. I truely thank you all.

Bruce

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I too was unaware of what was happening and wish we too could have participated.

But, it is we who are proud of those, like you, who serve. Thank you for your service and sacrifice! Stay safe and come home soon!

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Originally Posted by Mr. Silver

I too was unaware of what was happening and wish we too could have participated.

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What? You mean you don't know every single thing that happens on TE? You must have a life, or a job or .... JK.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=19503

You could still participate, it's not too late to do something like this again or start round two :) There's no REI in Iraq and sad to say there probably will be another soldier once our bikerguy heads home :o

I thank you all for your kind words… I received a PM and was told my post was inappropriate, that this is a ladies forum, and I am not welcome, that I should have used the PM instead of posting. She also seemed offended that I included my picture saying this is not a dating service.

I just want to be clear; I have no ill intentions here, no hidden agendas, and meant absolutely no disrespect to any of you or your board. I only wanted to say thank you on thanks giving day.

Hey Bruce,

I'm sorry to hear someone out there was such a freakin ***** to you. Some folks are just pains in the 88888

You're more than welcome to post your thanks to two loverrrlyyy TE ladies.

Enjoy the bike :) and i'm sure you can tell us about some cool riding you get to do when safe. I understand you guys n gals are under tons of pressure & i too would want a bike to keep me sane.

As a Canadian army brat, I just want to say I do hope you come back safe & sound to the ones that love you.

Happy riding!

C

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MSG Hall

I thank you all for your kind words… I received a PM and was told my post was inappropriate, that this is a ladies forum, and I am not welcome, that I should have used the PM instead of posting. She also seemed offended that I included my picture saying this is not a dating service.

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Are you kidding me???? Jeez, there's always someone.

Let me add my thanks to the soldiers, and to the generous TE folks who helped you out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MSG Hall

I thank you all for your kind words… I received a PM and was told my post was inappropriate, that this is a ladies forum, and I am not welcome, that I should have used the PM instead of posting. She also seemed offended that I included my picture saying this is not a dating service.

I just want to be clear; I have no ill intentions here, no hidden agendas, and meant absolutely no disrespect to any of you or your board. I only wanted to say thank you on thanks giving day.

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I am completely stunned and appalled that this happened to you. Please accept my sincere apologies. As you know from the circumstances that brought you here, not all of us are so unkind.

My son served a year at Camp Victory. No one ever dared treat him that way; in fact, quite the opposite. I hope this is just an aberration, and that person finds some gratitude somewhere in her heart and a means to properly express it.

former SSG Karen Clark

Just read all the posts...for all of us that missed out on this endeavor, maybe we could adopt a soldier ! Bruce could point us in the right direction I'm sure ! As a prior service person myself, I know he keeps tabs on all the guys/gals judging from his rank.
Anyway, just a thought!
S.

I hope someone really didn't say that...

To the naysayers out there: I find it ironic that someone so boldly approached a soldier who is defending our freedoms. ONE of those FREEDOMS is EQUAL ACCESS (a freedom confirmed by the US Supreme Court with guidelines that apply to this forum...). I thought this issue was resolved in last year's debate... http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=12799

Bruce, speaking for the Silvers, we have made some wonderful friends here and some new riding buddies as well:

• We rode with makbike at the Horsey Hundred and couldn't keep up with her!
• We had trekjeni and friends as house guests for the Hilly Hundred and had a blast
• We had dinner for the first time with indysteel last week and made a new friend
• ...not to mention ALL the folks we only know 'online'

We look forward to making even more friends through this forum; the members are wonderful and very supportive people. We are also committed to keeping this a safe place...

But, also know that this is a well policed and moderated forum, and that inappropriate behavior is not tolerated.

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Originally Posted by wawaski

maybe we could adopt a soldier

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I like the idea a lot!

I'm so sorry that happened. Please remember that the feelings of one are not the feelings of all. Be safe Bruce!

Who the h*** PM'd you that? Mr. Silver, have you ever gotten a PM like that?

There are several guys here who are valued members of the community.

I invited MSG Hall here and I *&^% well don't appreciate it.

The PMer should have the cajones to post publicly.

I feel better now.

BTW, Bruce you owe us a ridng pic.

Also, Note that Bruce's rank now begins with an M for Master. It didn't when we mailed out.

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Also, Note that Bruce's rank now begins with an M for Master. It didn't when we mailed out

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I noticed that right off! Congratulations!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MSG Hall

I thank you all for your kind words… I received a PM and was told my post was inappropriate, that this is a ladies forum, and I am not welcome, that I should have used the PM instead of posting.

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OMF***ing G*d. I am soooooo sorry. I'm not a moderator, I don't play one on TV. This is not indicitive of this board.

As kinda a senior person here (or just someone who posts a lot and has no life:rolleyes: ) I'm shocked though sadly not surprised.

Yes, it's a "womens cycling discussion forum" and hope it will remain so. But we've long had invited guests. And you are welcome here, just don't leave the seat up.

I personally know male cyclists who lurk, like my mechanic (Hi Chris!!). We've had this discussion, perhaps it needs to continue but in its own public sphere and not directed at an individual member.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MSG Hall

She also seemed offended that I included my picture saying this is not a dating service.

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It isn't? :D ;) Hey honey, MSG Hall says we should not have met here. :p And he's just been promoted and has access to heavy artillery so he's right :cool:

No offense taken, I just took it as "look, this is who got your bike stuff, a real person, really serving, really over there". I think we all did.

So many people don't write thank you letters these days, I was not expecting one because I figured you're pretty busy :cool: I for one was very appreciative, moved and nice to see who it went to.

And I want to see bike pixs and ride reports.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MSG Hall

I only wanted to say thank you on thanks giving day.

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On behalf of this board I apologize. We want to say thank you for serving your country. And I really don't appreciate having to deal with the drama on board before I've had sufficient coffee.

Edited to add here are some TE'ers, I'm the short gal with the orange hat.

Bruce - you are more than welcome to check in with us, let us know how you're doing. Tell us about riding in Iraq - I'm sure it's a whole lot different than any of us have ever done (aside from any others here that are currently serving in the armed forces).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MSG Hall

I thank you all for your kind words… I received a PM and was told my post was inappropriate, that this is a ladies forum, and I am not welcome, that I should have used the PM instead of posting. She also seemed offended that I included my picture saying this is not a dating service.

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/rant on...You know, that's pretty pathetic and rude! I am stunned. Apparently whoever pm-ed you didn't take the time or care enough to read your original post; those who did know it isn't about a 'dating service', it is a grateful thank-you. I see nothing wrong at all with a post like that. Who cares if you are a guy? The post was still bike related! Jeeze, some people! /rant off

Thank you, Bruce for your service to our country. My husband spent time in the Middle East and my youngest brother goes over in less than a month. I hope that you and your fellow brothers and sisters in arms return home safe and sound.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MSG Hall

I thank you all for your kind words… I received a PM and was told my post was inappropriate, that this is a ladies forum, and I am not welcome, that I should have used the PM instead of posting. She also seemed offended that I included my picture saying this is not a dating service.

I just want to be clear; I have no ill intentions here, no hidden agendas, and meant absolutely no disrespect to any of you or your board. I only wanted to say thank you on thanks giving day.

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Bruce, we know you're a great guy and the pic is fine-no different from us putting our personal bike riding pics for the avatars. Also Mr. Silver is a regular here, even though some folks poo poo'd that and he's still with us. So come by anytime and ride that bike. Jenn

Bruce
I am so glad that you got your bike stuff. I cannot believe that some wingnut had the audacity to send you that PM.
Yes, last time I checked it was a free country; in part, thanks to folks like you.
Best of luck to you!

I haven't been here in a while either. I just wanna say--YEA, BRUCE!! We (the smart ones here) appreciate you. Stay safe.

Bruce, you are totally welcome here. Thanks for posting!

Whoever sent you that PM is speaking solely for herself, not for this board.

Bruce, I am truly sorry that someone on this forum PM'd something like that to you. I just wanted to say, you are welcome here. :) As for pics, I thought it was wonderful of you to show us what you look like. It's always nice to put a face with a name. We would love to see some pics of you with the bike, too. (we love bike pics :o)

We do have a wonderful group of women on here who are (normally) very supportive of each other and any guests that frequent here. Please don't be put off by one azzhole who has a deep seated hatred of men in general. (Whom ever you are, instead of striking out at others for the reason of your lonely existence on this planet, maybe you need to look inside yourself for the cause. Of course, a boot up your arse wouldn't do you any harm either. :mad: :mad:)

Thank you, Bruce, for serving in our armed forces. I don't believe in the reason we are there, but I do back you soldiers up 100%. Please stay safe and don't forget to post a pic of you on the bike.

~X.

happy birthday, salsa

Just wanted to add my good wishes to you! My son was over there last Christmas, and he is coming home for Christmas this year! Next year he will be over there again.:(

Thanks to you and all the others over there. Maybe the TE'er who pm'd you should consider the fact that she can say what she wants because you make our freedom possible!

Bruce,

My name is Susan Otcenas, and I am the owner of Team Estrogen, Inc. I'd like to make it VERY clear that you are quite welcome here. I'd also like to add my voice to the chorus that has apologized to you for the inappropriate and quite thoughtless PM you received.

This forum is dedicated to women's cycling. However, that doesn't mean that only women cyclists are welcome here. We have a very small minority of men on these forums who enjoy participating inthe lively discussions we have here. As long as posts are on-topic and not inappropriate, then they are welcome.

Regrettably, a small number of women here feel that men should not be permitted. That men somehow spoil the "girls locker room" feel that tends to develop, especially since many of the conversations are quite frank. This in and of itself tends to weed out most of the men who wander in here :D Nonetheless, we will not ask men to leave as long as they play nice.

Thank you for your service to the country.

Tailwinds,

Susan

That's a great story - except the PM part. :eek:

My question is how the heck did you get a bike to IRAQ??? That's truly impressive! Ride safely and be careful over there.

Let me state up front that I oppose this war, but not the soldiers fighting it. I feel we were lied into this war. I feel it's not making us safer. But none of that is the soldiers' fault. They're just doing the best they can, serving their country bravely and loyally, even if that courage and loyalty isn't always being shown them in return. Given that assessment of the situation, I hope the bike helps you stay safe and sane over there. I hope you make it safely home, leaving the bike for the next person. Given my views, I hope that next person doesn't have to be a soldier. If only this war can be brought to an end soon, maybe you could leave the bike for an Iraqi kid. But I'll shut up on that issue now. We try to stear clear of politics here. What we share is an interest in biking; on political issues we're a random bunch who don't agree on much.

Meanwhile, I add myself to the list of those who welcome you to post here. Whoever took it upon herself to play "forum police" and tell you off ... well, shame on her. That PM was inappropriate; your post was not.

I don't see what purpose his post has served except as a springboard for (and I detest this word) cattiness, backbiting and insults.

He got his bike, he thanked the parties involved, that should have sufficed. To post the content of a private message is very inappropriate.

From the turn this thread has taken, it would appear that he has indeed crashed the party. That's a shame.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MSG Hall

I received a PM and was told my post was inappropriate, that this is a ladies forum, and I am not welcome, that I should have used the PM instead of posting.

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Well I'm glad you posted. It always gladdens my heart to see people being nice to each other and I had no idea that plans were afoot to send a bike to Iraq. :) Yes, Trek, I do have a life and don't have time to read every post.

I'm pleased and proud that "my gang" did something so generous.

The PMer is entitled to her opinion and shouldn't get trashed on account of it, however.

V.