Beaner‘s Story
~ In His Own Words ~
I was Raised in the Ozarks, about an hour from St Louis, in Union, Mo.
I Graduated from High School in 1983. 3 days after, I was at Ft McClellan, AL for US Army Basic Training, at the Military Police School.
I Served for 4.5 years in the MO National Guards 1141st MPCo. We Did one deployment in 86 to Honduras.
In 1988, I went to the Active Army. I was Stationed at Ft Carson, CO in the 984th MPCo. From 88-91, we deployed twice to Panama. In 88, to protect Americans from Noriega's thugs. In 89, to train the new Police, after Noriega's capture.
In 90, we deployed to Saudi Arabia for Desert Shield, into Desert Storm. In early 91, we crossed into Iraq, clearing 110 miles of roadway, for the 82nd Airborne to travel into combat.
At that time, there were 2 suspected exposure events to chemical agents. It is supposed that is when I contracted what later became ALS, at least according to the VA.
After returning to Ft Carson in May of 1991, I was reassigned to the MP Investigations Section, where I was the juvenile crimes Investigator. I also attended the US Army SORT (Special Operations Reaction Team) Course and the Colorado state SRT (Special Reaction Team) course.
While an Investigator, I met a beautiful young lady. Her business had been the victim of an Army Major's check kiting scam. Angela and I started dating a few months later. After a few months of dating, she became my bride. Nearly 32 years ago.
The day after our wedding, I left for a special assignment to NATO, in Heidelberg, Germany. Months later, she was able to join me. We had 3 wonderful years in Germany's most beautiful city. While on a 4-day weekend, with a complimentary bottle of wine from the Hotel, our first child, Shaun was conceived. Needless to say, it was a really fun trip. Lol!
After 3 years, we moved back to Colorado Springs, CO. I was once again assigned to the 984th MPCo. Shaun was born in February of 1996.
​In July of 1996, I ended my Army career, intending to become a Police Officer. I went to a few interviews, but was not hired until August of 1997.
I worked for the Department of Justice/Federal Bureau of Prisons, as a Corrections Officer at the ADX (Supermax) in Florence, CO. While living in Florence, our daughter Evelynn became a wonderful addition to our family.
In 2000, I transferred to Atwater, CA, in order to help open the new US Penitentiary there.
Two days after September 11, 2001, I applied to the Federal Air Marshal Service. I was hired in March of 2002, and worked in the Los Angeles Field Office, the FAMS Mission Operations Center (both at Atlantic City and Stirling, VA) and ending my 33.5 years of Federal Service in the FAMS Orlando Field Office.
After retirement, in 2018, the family and I traveled. 2 trips to Tokyo and one, just the wife and I, to Panama.
I was becoming bored, so I accepted a position as a Site Supervisor for Security, at a gated community in 2022.
I started noticing a problem with my right leg in November of 2022. I finally got my Primary Care Physician to get me into a neurologist.
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I was diagnosed with ALS in 2023.
I am currently a 100% disabled veteran, receiving excellent care from the V.A. at the Daytona Clinic. I am also a patient of Dr. Bjorn Oskarsson at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. I could not be receiving better care, in my opinion!
My wife and kids are super supportive. I thank God daily for my family... and my "family" from the Army, the Bureau of Prisons, The Federal Air Marshals, The Vikings Mc and the Steel Monkeys Motorcycle Club, of which I am a member.
THE SIDECAR SAGA​
I was feeling the want of a sidecar, as I was no longer able to keep a two wheeler upright at a stop. A trike was an option, but with my service dog (Koa Aka), I wanted to be able to take her wherever I went.
My wife talked me into doing a GoFundMe, in order to get the funds donated to purchase a sidecar to my existing motorcycle. The folks at GoFundMe contacted Fox 35 Orlando and asked if they would like to do a human interest story on my endeavors.
After the interview aired, my family, friends, and many total strangers donated to my cause, including the generosity displayed by the bikers who participated in the first We Ride to Beat ALS Bike Run.
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I was able to acquire a very special sidecar from Joel Yarbrough, the owner of Leatherman's, in Central Georgia, and also the president of Sidecar Adventures. He had two classic sidecars in storage. Coca-Cola had three of them built for promotional purposes and were now collectors items.
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I attached a rack on the back of the sidecar, in order to take my Rollator or my wheelchair with me when I travel. It works out great. My sidekick, Koa Aka, has been in the sidecar all the way to Missouri and back. She really loves it.
I am truly thankful to all participants in this annual Bike Run who came to my aid so that I can have this sidecar and continue to enjoy motorcycling. And I will do so for as long as I am able.
I also want to thank all those who have continued to donate their time and monies to help fund finding a cure for ALS.
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~ Beaner
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