Get Ready for Red Dragonfly II: Veteran Health Motorcycle Tour (VIDEO)

Red Dragonfly has been called the most unique veteran outreach program in the nation.

Operation Red Dragonfly II

(SALEM) - For the second year in a row, I will cross this nation on a solo motorcycle tour, giving talks about a number of critical, life and death issues facing current and past members of the armed services. Operation Red Dragonfly II is designed to save the lives of Veterans.

Military bases across the US and around the world are contaminated with deadly toxins, it is a problem that has stopped many people from living out their full lives. The government is responsible for the mess and I am now a tool in the fight to make people think and react.

For sixty years plus, bases have been laden with chemicals like TCE (trichloroethylene) and Benzene, the list is long and ugly. These toxins get into the ground and air and water and they are deadly. The military avoids responsibility at every opportunity because of the enormous costs involved in cleaning the bases, and covering the expenses of sick military Vets.

Think of those recruiting commercials on TV. Consider the military effort to always gain new recruits. Now think about millions of Veterans who are fighting for their lives with a VA system that is, so often, totally incapable of offering help. Months-long waiting lists are just the beginning. The VA's unofficial slogan is, "Deny Deny Until They Die".

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Veteran Suicide... these are subjects covered during the Red Dragonfly talks.

Last year I covered 11,500 miles, going as far as New York City, before returning to the west coast. This year, I plan to do more talks and reach more Veterans and their families, remembering all the while that people impacted by military environmental contamination are not always past military.

The following video is edited from Agron Belica's song, "Red Dragonfly" which was written and recorded in celebration of this out of the box event.

I address as much as possible during my talks, the main subjects, base contamination, PTSD, TBI and Veteran Suicide, are accompanied by information about Agent Orange and other issues facing Vietnam Vets, with an emphasis on Children of Vietnam Vets. Here is a compilation from a few of the talks I gave in 2013:

People, organizations and businesses that want to support Operation Red Dragonfly II can write to me at reddragonfly80@yahoo.com. I plan to assemble a fundraising team to help get this off the ground, further announcements will be forthcoming.

Individuals like Jon Daggett from Sacramento Motorcycle Rentals were instrumental in helping launch Operation Red Dragonfly. Jon purchased the new set of tires on the motorcycle and supported other needed maintenance. Before the trip was over he paid for another rear tire and two chains for the Suzuki Bandit. His investment meant a higher level of safety and it was greatly appreciated. The Oregon Confederation of Clubs also provided a $300 donation to the project. Many other individuals helped also, like business owner Joshua Reiwitch in California's capital city, who owns Sacramento Metro Detailing. He donated his services, detailing the bike, making it look beautiful. Coral Theill donated a beautiful leather vest, Vic Pittman donated saddle bags, Mike "Milkman" Hamer provided a GoPro camera, sadly he passed away a few months ago. Helping this mission is a great way to help Veterans.