'Operation Red Dragonfly' : Breakdown in Kansas

The trials of mechanical breakdown and miraculous generosity in the Midwest.

Charlie Otero and Al with Tim's bike near Wichita, Kansas

(WICHITA, KS) - 'Operation Red Dragonfly' nearly came to a halt today when a major oil leak began spraying oil all over the inside of my legs.

I pulled over at a convenience store and was immediately approached by a young woman who works at the store, offering to help in any way she could. Then a Harley rider pulled in and asked if he could help; the rider, whose name was Al, told me he had a friend named Charlie Otero who repaired motorcycles.

I managed to nurse my Suzuki 1200 to Charlie's home where we went to work stripping the bike down and evaluating the leak. I rode the bike to a car wash and sprayed the oil off as well as I could.

As it turns out, a number of bolts on the valve cover were loose, they were hard to access but that didn't stop Charlie, who carefully and methodically removed the necessary parts and went to work torquing down the bolts to the proper degree.

The first test ride demonstrated that the oil leak was history, I was told by Charlie that the bike could have caught fire, all is well that ends well but I can not emphasize how fortunate I was to run into these amazing men from Kansas, who helped restore my bike to perfect condition. I could not thank these riders enough, I am totally impressed with the state of Kansas and the people here.

'Operation Red Dragonfly' is back underway, my special thanks to Charlie and Al and Linda!

My motorcycle is a 1200 Suzuki Bandit, it has new tires thanks to Jon Daggett of Sacramento Motorcycle Rentals, but it gets only marginal gas mileage with the full load I'm carrying, please get involved, let me add your name to the list of people who are making this possible.

Support this important
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to help Vets via PayPal:

You can also donate on PayPal to this address: tim@salem-news.com.

As I move across the country, I am reminded that every American needs the same information, because it is about simple things, like ruined toxic land and a desire to serve one's country, and these ideas clash over and over again.

We are raised to believe that the dangers faced by our military result from war, when in fact a life can be snatched away in an instant by a person's own irresponsible government without a shot being fired. Generations polluted the ground the modern day service member is expected to occupy.

For many, the most important information I am sharing on this tour relates to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Victims of these injuries can often have a large, unanticipated impact on their communities. They also suffer from police prejudice and not a single PTSD sufferer I have ever met asked for this life interrupting problem.

Those interested in learning more can contact me via my email below, I am also addressing PTSD and Veteran suicide and gathering elements for a documentary on PTSD that is under production.

Anyone with questions can call 916 308-5902.

Many people are already helping, one significant person is Sheree Evans in Missouri, she is the east coast contact person for 'Operation Red Dragonfly'. You can write to Sheree at evasher6@cebridge.net if you are interested in seeing this event come to your city or town.

People and organizations who have contributed include Nicholas Burgin, Tosh Plumlee, Paul Stanford and THCF Clinic, Coral Theill, Charlie Smith, Vic Pittman, Mary Vogel, Joan Vogel, Kevin Saunders, Leonard Lawrence, Dennis Paterka, Karin Rougeau, Charlie Smith, Jean James, Bob and Donna Collinsworth, Robert and Grace O'Dowd, Al Hayward, James Frederickson, Michael Rawlings, Gary Bennett, Veterans United for Truth, EnyaDreamz Productions, Bonnie King, the King family, Sacramento Motorcycle Rentals, and several other are already stepping up. It is time to think outside of the box, time to reach out in person. We believe this is a cheap and effective approach that will gain measurable ground in our fight to save lives.

Please use our PayPal or send a check and please specify that the donation is for Operation Red Dragonfly:

Please send your donation via the PayPal icon below, which is also located at the top right side of Salem-News.com. This is a SAFE and secure way to help.

Support this important
Salem-News.com mission
to help Vets via PayPal:

You can also donate on PayPal to this address: tim@salem-news.com.

If you want to send money or a check then please just write to:

Salem-News.com P.O. Box 5238 Salem, Oregon 97304

More background:

Operation Red Dragonfly Veteran Health Outreach Mission in Colorado

Veteran advocates for others as part of 48-state mission - By Joshua Dillen Baker City Herald

Operation Red Dragonfly Moving East (VIDEO)

Veteran advocates for others as part of 48-state mission - By Joshua Dillen

'Coffee Strong' Near Joint Base Lewis-McChord - an Out of the Box Approach for Helping Vets (VIDEO)

Operation Red Dragonfly Lands in Seattle (VIDEO)

Operation Red Dragonfly Outreach Mission for Veterans Takes Flight (VIDEO)

Red Dragonfly 'Veteran Awareness Mission' Set to Land at Camp Lejeune (VIDEO)

Tim King's Cross Country Ride for Veterans Health

Operation Red Dragonfly Brings Hardcore Veteran Health Outreach to America

Operation Red Dragonfly - Former Marine Will Cross Country for Veteran's Health

Road Warrior Crossroads: Taking Veteran's Issues to the Street

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Chris P September 15, 2013 8:56 am (Pacific time)

This was such a cool idea Tim thanks for doing this for our troops. I hate the wars but I still love our troops and support them, despite all the problems our government has put on em. They are NOT disposable, no matter what Henry Kissinger and his buddies say.

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Vic September 10, 2013 7:22 pm (Pacific time)

How cool ! This is the stuff Life is made of !

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Luke Easter September 10, 2013 8:05 am (Pacific time)

Psalm 105, "And God sent..." God sent Joseph & the 1st place he landed was the pit. At the hands of his brothers no less. Just because there's been a setback does not mean God is not with you TK. Look at Joseph's 13 year journey but Genesis 39 (God was still with him giving favor along the way) like you just received.

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