Safety on the road focus at biker blessing

By Breanne Coats | The Olympian • Published June 16, 2007

OLYMPIA — John Munson of Tumwater carries two pictures of his “Endless Love” in his wallet.

He decided to have his “Love,” a ’79 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead, blessed Saturday at Providence Mother Joseph Care Center’s fifth annual motorcycle show. It was the third year the center held a motorcycle blessing.

The Rev. David Bates, the chaplain at Mother Joseph Care Center, told 19 attendees they all could help stop road rage.

“All drivers on the road, including motorcycle operators, are called to assure the excellence of responsible and safe-driving practices,” Bates said.

Bates blessed seven motorcycles, drivers and others by dabbing olive oil on their hands and feet and gave each a certificate.

Bates said Providence and the event have the same mission: taking care of the vulnerable. Motorcyclists are the most vulnerable drivers on the road, he said.

The number of motorcycle crashes nationally has increased in the past 10 years. Motorcycle deaths in 2005 totaled 4,232, more than double the number in 1995, according to The Associated Press.

Vern “Bum” Culp, 80, lives at Mother Joseph and came out to look at the motorcycles. He said he used to do some street riding and liked the camaraderie of the biker group he was in.

Providence Mother Joseph Care Center is a Catholic non-profit facility. It has a long-term-care unit, a transitional care unit and a dementia/Alzheimer’s care unit, Bates said.

Breanne Coats is a news intern at The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-704-6871 or bcoats@theolympian.com.