Friday Sept 19th 2008

We have reached the 10th anniversary of the Charlie Maxwell Memorial ride. For the past 9 years we have made donations to the American Heart Association through the sale of the memorial ride T-shirts. In addition to our collectible, annual t-shirts, this year we are partnering with an organization called Motorcycle Miracles that will greatly increase our ability to make a difference. They have a unique fundraising process that allows everyone to get involved to help raise money whether you go on the ride or not. Because Charlie had so wanted to go on the Trail of Tears ride the year he passed away, we have decided to give all proceeds from this point forward to the Official Trail of Tears Remembrance Association ride. The TOTRAI Board determined several years back to make Charlie’s ride the Official Georgia portion of their ride in honor of him, so this just makes good sense. Charlie worked many years at the parts department at Earl Smalls Harley Davidson of Marietta, Ga. helping fellow rider’s everyday. We know that he would be proud to be a part of making a difference in this wonderful charity. To learn more about the Trail of Tears go to www.trailoftears-remembrance.org.

HERE'S HOW THE MOTORCYCLE MIRACLES FUNDRAISING FORMAT WORKS…
We have partnered with Earl Smalls Harley Davidson of Marietta, Ga. and
Harley Davidson of Cartersville, Ga. as the official sponsors for this event.
With the donations you raise you will receive monetary gift cards from either sponsor.
Example: When you raise $100 in donations, you receive a $50 gift card.
Go to www.motorcyclemiracles.com and see how the automated process
can help you achieve this and larger prize levels.
You only need to register to participate in the fundraising/prize process.
There is no fee or registration to participate in the actual ride.
Don’t forget…all donations are tax deductible!

Contact ride leader Ken Markham at 770-329-6067 or email markhamandassoc@aol.com

Special Thanks to our supporters over the years for helping make this ride such a success:

Harley Davidson Cartersville - www.hdcartersville.com
Earl Small's Harley Davidson - www.earlsmallshd.com
Southland's Full Throttle Magazine - www.gafullthrottle.com
Henry's Louisiana grill - www.chefhenrys.com
American Heart Association - www.americanheart.org
Darwin's: the Best Blues club in Atlanta. Provided breakfast for several years. A great place to catch some awesome live music the night before the ride. www.darwinsblues.com
Liz Melendez - Thanks for your friendship and great talent through the years.	Liz Melendez Band
Bill Abrams - American Auto Body - Artist and creator of annual Memorial ride T-shirt designs.	Bill Abrams
Sir Speedy Printing - Marietta, GA - Corky and his gang donates the graphic design and printing of Memorial ride flyers.	Sir Speedy Printing

Thank you to all of the HOG chapters that have brought rides into Earls all the years past and most of all to the riders that have supported and made this ride what it is today! A special thanks to the Earl Small's HOG chapter and Harley Davidson of Cartersville HOG chapter for assisting every year! Charlie would be honored!

THE CHARLIE MAXWELL STORY

Charlie Maxwell worked for many years in the parts department at Earl Small's Harley Davidson. Many riders throughout the southeast had worked with Charlie on parts for their bikes. He was a patient man and had the ability to make you feel like you were a long time friend even if you had just met. Charlie had a great love for his family, friends and his Harley Davidson. He owned several rides throughout the years but always kept his 1978 FXE. This bike had evolved into a low-slung wide glide. He always got a kick out of adding a new part and waiting to see if his riding buddies could spot the change.

In the summer of 1998, Charlie made a trip out west with a group of friends who became known as the "Western Tour Riders". We were gone a little over 2 weeks, which took up all of Charlie's vacation time at the shop. Thus, he was unable to take time off for the upcoming Trail of Tears ride. He would not leave his associates behind the parts counter short handed. He passed away a few days later of a sudden heart attack. He was just over 50…a man who loved life, gone so early. Charlie was one of those people you meet that touches you so deeply, you don't forget him.

I worked with the Trail of Tears officials to make the Charlie Maxwell Memorial ride the "Official" ride out of Georgia into Chattanooga, Tn. There were two reasons for this decision. Charlie had wanted to join in the T.O.T. ride so much yet passed on before he was ever able to and I knew it would be a great way to raise money to assist others in his memory.

The first year of the ride was in 1999, the year following his death and in conjunction with the Trail of Tears ride. We left Cobb County with around 100 riders. Over the years, it has grown to well over 300 riders with local dealerships organizing rides to join us at Earl Smalls for the trip to Chattanooga. We travel north on Highway 411 which is part of the original Federal Highway that was utilized to remove the Native Americans from north Georgia during the Trail of Tears. The ride is police escorted all the way into Thunder Creek Harley Davidson of Chattanooga, Tn.

For many of the years, Charlie's son, Chris has ridden Charlie's FXE carrying Charlie's spirit and love of riding on the ride he never got to make. Chris and his brother Joey now make the ride each year on their new Road Kings. Charlie would be proud!

Pre-ride activities start on Thursday the 18th from 3:00 p.m. till close. The morning of the ride is packed full of festivities too, with complimentary breakfast goodies, vendors, and Native American dancers. Charlie loved music so we will have live music Friday morning is his honor too!

Donations are raised using the Motorcycle Miracles fund raising format. Go to www.motorcyclemiracles.com. These donations are tax deductible for donors, benefit the Trail of Tears Remembrance Association and also benefit those that participate in the fundraising process through gift certificates from official sponsors.

Memorial ride T-shirts created by fellow rider and custom bike painter, Bill Abrams are also available at the sponsoring dealerships prior to and the morning of the ride. Bill donates his artistic talents to create a meaningful and unique logo for each year.

Friends are the family that you choose...Charlie had a big family.

Charlie was my riding partner for many years and I'm proud to call him my friend. His spirit lives on in all of us that were blessed enough to know him. Come join us in his ride.