Motorcycle Club rights a wrong for motorcycle enthusiast

Provided photos: A group from the Punishers Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club gave Michael Pozzanghera of Hamlin a chance to experience a motorcycle up close and personal on Saturday.

Editor:

Michael Pozzanghera is an 80-year-old gentleman from Hamlin. Mike grew up riding motorcycles and has loved them ever since.

On June 3, 1957, Mike was 17 and getting ready to join the Navy. While he was riding down Kings Highway in the Town of Irondequoit, he lost control of his bike. Mike suffered a fractured skull, and the accident severed his optical nerve leaving him blind for the rest of his life. Mike is also wheelchair bound.

Recently Mike and his wife Barbara were leaving a restaurant in the Town of Greece, when Mike heard someone on a motorcycle pulling into the parking lot. Mike’s wife Barbara wheeled him over to the motorcycle. He told the biker about his love for motorcycles, and was wondering if he could touch his bike.

Unfortunately, the biker was less than cordial, and told Mike to get away from his bike, and leave. It should be noted that this biker was not a member or affiliated with the Punishers LEMC.

However, when the Punishers Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club heard about this, the club was shocked at the rude and callous attitude a biker would display to someone. Our International President John Boyan reached out to Mike’s family to express sadness of such treatment.

​On September 12, a group of Punishers rode out to Hamlin Beach State Park to meet Mike and his family. This visit was arranged within 24 hours of hearing about the way Mike was treated.

Punishers from Utica, Binghamton, Syracuse, Rochester and parts in between rode to meet Mike, his wife, and extended family.

Many of the Chapters represented and gave Mike mementos from the club (challenge coins, key chains, T-shirts). The members of the Punishers LEMC lifted Mike onto the back of a motorcycle so he could take a little ride.

He was yelling woohoo as he rode off. Despite a horrendous encounter with a motorcyclist, the Punishers LEMC members were able to turn Mike’s experience around.

Mike’s desire to touch, feel, and ride a motorcycle came true with the caring hearts of men who have devoted their lives to protecting others. These men made Mike’s wish come true.

Tom DiFante

Clarendon