Encounter with Hells Angels

[Nerts]

I remember a bunch of them who used to come by my dad's service station when I worked there as a teen. Seemed like nice, salt of the earth guys. They had a sort of "fortress" down the road a bit. I know once they chased away a robber who was trying to break in to the old lady's house next door. Then, a few years later I picked up the paper and saw their pictures on the front page. About the only thing they weren't charged with was jaywalking. You just never know....

I know what you mean. When I was younger I helped out a kids football team (sort of coached) and there was a chapter house just down the street. We never had all that much money for the team, and one day while the staff and I were eating across the street a couple of the guys came in to grab a bite. The lead coach knew one of them and they got talking. He mentioned the lack of funds and that the kids weren't getting what they needed to have a good team.

About a week later a truck rolls up to our office and says he's got a 'shipment' for us. He throws up the back door and it full of uniforms, furniture, a bigscreen TV, a VCR (a while ago, remember) and other stuff!

Prior to this I thought ALL bikers had a bad rep. I know that a lot of them are criminals, and some of the guys that helped us might have been (and probably were), but I would defend these guys with everything I had if it came down to it!

Since them I've seen a few faces I recognize in the newpapers. It's a sad day when we condem people simply because of the patches they wear.

Thanks!

E.