Let’s Take Him Home!
by Paula McCallum

"This is a sad time for bikers who know him and love him. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to his family. Vaughn is missed from his local hangout here in Plymouth at Dunkin Donuts and will be forever remembered in our hearts for his love for riding his scooter. God Bless" - Sylvester Ryan

"I would love to donate some money to the family of Vaughn Smith. I fought my fight with cancer and no fun…" - Ric Tomlinson

"I'm not sure if I can make it, but please make a donate for me and I will either send you a check or let me know when you are in my area and I'll meet you, my prayers go out to him and his family!" - love fran

Many outpourings like these were sent by our members (some who’ve never even met him) in response to our plea to help Vaughn Smith’s family raise money. Some attended his benefits, others mailed in donations, there were several great ideas for how to raise funds while many still visit him at the Jordan Hospital.

When Vaughn found out that he was sick, he gave away his two beloved motorcycles to his nephews. One tank jokingly read "Hardly Davidson" while many will remember his other very loud white Honda Shadow.

The first time I heard Vaughn was during the Fourth of July parade in Plymouth a few years ago. He was the obnoxious guy a few bikes back revving his engine for a crowd of kids. While walking down to the waterfront, I asked, who was that loud guy laying on his pipes? He was right behind me (oops) and proudly announced grinning "that was me!" I have since hung out with him at the Wall or at his favorite hang, Dunks in Plymouth center. There was always a smile on his face and a lively tale on his lips.

He recently told me while laying in his hospital bed, reflecting on his life, that he has made more friends than enemies in his lifetime. He never imagined that the same disease which took his mother (at age 50) would eventually come to take him.

Vaughn, as you all know, is stricken with lung cancer at age 41. He was a former member of the Manomet Mystery Riders and was unanimously voted on as an honorary member by our E-Board. One of our members, while visiting him in the hospital , presented Vaughn with a MMR dorag because every time he’d ever seen him, he was wearing one on his head. Vaughn was very grateful and asked his nephew to make sure it came with him (in his casket).

Vaughn’s niece, Deidre, came to speak to the 50 or so members in attendance at the last meeting to tell us about the cause she and her family are working on for her uncle. We then passed around a hat with a promise to match up to $1,000 from our membership and were astounded that we raised over $2,500! $1,500 of which came from individual MMR members. Deidre was blown away by our generosity and quickly called her aunt to tell her the good news as she sat in her car and cried.

All proceeds raised will help Vaughn’s family pay for his final arrangements. When I told Vaughn about our efforts, he was overwhelmed and wanted to come to our meeting himself. He has asked that the MMR "Take him home" when his time here on earth has passed by leading a procession to the cemetery.

Sometimes, belonging to a motorcycle group is not just about the ride. Quite often, we become very frustrating with insignificant details, pet peeves, minor problems or silly requests that can otherwise become all consuming in the day-to-day politics of the group. It is at times like this that we need to step back to look at the big picture. Only then do we remember why we belong to such a group of concerned individuals who realize that an illness like this can strike any one of us. We are reminded that we must treasure the time and people we have in our lives.

Thanks to all of you for your generosity. And thanks to Vaughn for the privilege of getting to know him, if only for a short time. May his parents and brother (who he loved to go fishing with) greet him with open arms, united again when he comes home.

Vaughn
by Paula McCallum
On July 13, 2006 Vaughn W. Smith passed away after a long battle with lung cancer at the young age of 41. Many of the Manomet Mystery Riders stopped by to pay their respects at the wake. His family was very appreciative for all our support throughout his illness. His aunt made it a point to hug every biker who walked through the door.

At the funeral on Monday, the place was packed with family, friends and standing bikers. All were silent, during the eulogy, when a signal was given and outside could be heard the haunting sound of a motorcycle engine being revved 3 times. I was moved to tears at this special honor bestowed to Vaughn (Thanks to Dennis Hoffer for making this suggestion). The eulogist also read a touching poem called "The Dash" by Linda Ellis (see page 3). Giving us pause to think about how we spend our dash.

37 motorcycles then lined up, ready to "take him home." The procession was led by Vaughn’s two bikes followed by his best friend, the hearse and then the Mystery Riders. Danny Paine, Glenn Adams and Dennis Hoffer did a exceptional job blocking traffic as we made our way to the Plymouth cemetery.

At the graveside, while we paid our final respects, everyone looked to the sky as a hawk circled the air before he flew off over the trees. This was just Vaughn’s way of letting us know that he is now one with nature while in Heaven his spirit soars.

Ric Nobrega writes: It was a pleasure to be the honor guard for such "real human being," for he brought so much to the friendship we had with Vaughn. He rose above so many problems in his prior life to be the great human being he turned into. He was every man’s friend, would share his last piece of bread with anyone, THIS is a very rare human being. As you know, since he took sick we have heard so many of the awesome things that he did, and never once sought recognition for any of it in any way, he just wanted to be the best human being he knew how to be. And he achieved this status with out much effort, he was a natural. We will miss him dearly, he was a sapphire among the uncut stones of humanity!

He brings a life lesson to all of us in the club, do not be afraid to be fully human, do not be afraid to let others see your short comings, do not be afraid to say, "I am sorry," for in these acts of true humanity, we become closer to all of humanity.

Dear Mystery Riders,
My name is Rhonda Sheffy. I had the great pleasure of meeting many of you at the services for my cousin, Vaughn Smith.

I feel the need to thank you all once again for all that you have done for Vaughn and our family. It's comforting to know that Vaughn had so many wonderful people that loved and cared for him at a time when he needed it most.

You all have a special place in my heart and I will not only think about my uncle, Johnny Martin and my cousin, Vaughn each and every time I see a group of riders on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, but I will think of all of you as well.

Please be safe and I hope to meet up with you all again someday. I try to get to Plymouth as often as humanly possible (I live in Pennsylvania) because most of my family is there. I will e-mail you when I know I'm coming to visit again. Maybe I could get a ride on one of those awesome bikes!

I saw all of the rides that you do for the community and for charity and thank you just doesn't seem like enough. You are angels and I wish you all the very best.

Sincerely, Rhonda Sheffy