The Bull Pen

America Needs Heroes, Not Zero's

Welcome back to the Bull Pen. If you don't remember me, my name is Dean Akey and I will be your guide for another fun filled edition.  Are you ready?  OK then, let's get started...

It seems to me that the tail has been wagging the dog for far too long.  Let's face it; a majority of our elected officials have simply lost touch with us, their constituents.  Our elected officials need to remember that they were "appointed" and not "anointed".  In the past few months we have seen more zero's than in any time in history.  Those zeros came from us and went for pork laden stimulus packages, an omnibus spending bill with close to 9000 earmarks which totaled over $5 billion dollars and the list goes on....

Enough is Enough...  America Needs Heroes, Not Zero's...

I want to introduce you to Dave Zien.  Dave served as a Wisconsin State Senator from 1986 - 2006 and has been a "man of the people" both in and out of office.  Dave earned a Purple Heart while serving our country in Vietnam as a Marine. 

Impressed yet?  Read on.  Dave holds 109 long distance riding records.  As a legislator from 1986 to December 1, 2006 Dave logged 1,327,500 total miles on two wheels.  Now you may be thinking, did this guy ever work?  You bet he did and I wish other elected officials worked as tirelessly as Dave does.       

In addition to being a riding machine, Dave initiated the first major veteran's monument that recognizes motorcyclists...Wisconsin Veterans Tribute, Cadot, Wisconsin.

Dave also helped coordinate the largest object left at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. (a handmade custom Harley, 1998) and was inducted into the National Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museums at Anamosa, Iowa, Pickerington, Ohio and Sturgis, South Dakota.

When not riding, Dave has run 11 marathons (26.2 miles each) carrying a 3X5 USA flag on a pole to honor fallen veterans and as a reminder of POW/MIA's.

Dave's accomplishments are legendary but here is one that will blow your mind.  While Dave has logged over 2 million miles in the saddle close to half of them were on his 1991 Harley FXRP.  On April 4^th, Dave will hit 1 million miles on his trusty scooter.  That's 1 million miles on one motorcycle.  This will be a world record. 

To celebrate this true American hero and honor his accomplishments there will be a "Landing Party" at Hal's Harley Davidson, (one mile south of I-94 at the Moreland Road exit) New Berlin, Wisconsin, on April 4th at noon.  The party is being hosted by the law firm of Hupy & Abraham.  Hupy & Abraham has sponsored Dave and his attempt to set this world record.  You also probably have heard of Hupy & Abraham as their generous support has helped put close to 500 new Rescue Riders on the road in Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota in the last year.  Many thanks to Hupy & Abraham for all you do to help the biker community.    

Our friends from the Patriot Guard Riders will be lining the streets and waving flags as the procession arrives to honor this milestone and show appreciation for all that Dave has done for veterans and bikers over the years. 

Did I mention that Dave is a Rescue Rider?  Dave will be dedicating his landing to Wisconsin based Accident Scene Management who have trained over 10,000 bikers nationally in emergency response and the Rescue Riders.  Please come out and join us at Hal's to celebrate this world record and honor a true American Hero.  I hope to see you there. 

On March 15^th, Dave celebrated his 60^th birthday.  When asked about aging Dave said, "Age is a figment of the imagination. We really don't get old, we get wiser, but our soul is always young."   I couldn't have said it any better my friend.

Well, that's it for this month.  When I am not sharing my wisdom with you via my Thunder Roads editorials or running the Rescue Rider program, I run an insurance agency West of Chicago.  I enjoy working with fellow bikers helping you protect what matters most.  If I can help you with your insurance please drop me a note at deanakey@allstate.com or give me a call at 877-232-9899.  I would love to hear from you.  Until next month, enjoy the ride.