January 2015
By Jerry Yeatts, F390000
Executive Director
So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania. Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado. Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.
But not only that; let freedom ring from the Stone Mountain of Georgia. Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee. Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
And when this happens, and when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, ‘Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!’
On the third Monday of January each year, America pays tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a pastor; an activist; leader in the Civil Rights movement; and, equally as important, a humanitarian.Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
On the third Monday of January each year, America pays tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a pastor; an activist; leader in the Civil Rights movement; and, equally as important, a humanitarian.
Michael King Jr. was born January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. Reverend Michael King Sr. changed his name and his son’s name in honor of the German Protestant reformer Martin Luther following a 1934 trip to Germany to attend the Fifth Baptist World Alliance Congress in Berlin.
Martin Luther King Jr., the 1964 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, stated in a speech in 1967 regarding his calling as a minister, “You know, all that I do in civil rights I do because I consider it a part of my ministry. I have no other ambitions in life but to achieve excellence in the Christian ministry. I don’t plan to run for any political office. I don’t plan to do anything but remain a preacher. And what I’m doing in this struggle, along with many others, grows out of my feeling that the preacher must be concerned about the whole man.”
This month’s Executive Director’s Commentary isn’t about the struggles America has experienced over the decades, or even over the past few months. Rather, the words of Dr. King’s famous speech, excerpted above, eloquently describe a dream — a vision he had for himself, for his family, for America, and for humanity.
Although on a different plane, we have hopes and dreams for FMCA in 2015. FMCA’s Governing Board, Executive Board, and national office staff are committed to the overall success of this organization and have great hope for the continued emphasis on promoting motorhome adventure through education, recreation, and fun.
Member Benefits
The back section of this issue of Family Motor Coaching magazine contains lists of commercial members, campgrounds, chapters, and much more. It also includes an article called “FMCA Member Benefits” (page 136) that describes the many benefits afforded to you as a member of this great association.
For a mere $40 per year in membership dues — 11 cents per day — you receive a direct benefit of at least double the cost of membership. FMCAssist, a medical evacuation and travel assistance program valued at $105 per family, is included in your dues.
Those of you traveling to or through Cincinnati can avail yourself of two nights of full hookup camping at FMCA’s campground each month, a $40 monthly value. Family Motor Coaching, packed each month with helpful technical advice, travel articles, area and chapter information, RV product reviews, and much more, is valued at more than $50 per year. Trip routing through our partners at Spatial Data Sciences Inc. (SDSI) is invaluable, giving hassle-free travel routes and avoiding RV-restricted highways.
The abundance of discounts available to FMCA members also makes your membership even more valuable. Members who have used the Michelin Advantage tire program have informed us that they have saved hundreds of dollars on the purchase of motorhome tires. Now that this benefit is available for Michelin and BFGoodrich light truck tires and passenger tires, the savings potential is even greater. FMCA Mail Forwarding powered by DakotaPost and FMCA RVinsurance are also tremendous programs introduced in 2014 that may provide more value to your membership in 2015.
FMCA Road Assist, FMCA’s newest offering in the portfolio of benefits, provides towing of your motorhome to the nearest qualified repair center, fuel delivery, lockout service, tire change, battery boost, trip interruption up to $1,500, winching service, RV technical assistance, mobile mechanic and mobile tire services, coverage for multiple RVs and additional vehicles, and additional benefits at an extremely attractive price — $99 per year.
Gatherings And Celebrations
This New Year brings a whole host of get-togethers for FMCA members. We begin with the Western Area Rally, January 7-11, in Indio, California, followed by the Southeast Area Rally, February 11-14, in Sarasota, Florida.
FMCA’s 91st Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase will be held March 26-29 at Fairplex in Pomona, California. This is a magnificent setting, with hundreds of motorhomes on display and vendors offering the latest and greatest in RV supplies. Great wholesome entertainment is on the schedule, as well as new educational opportunities, games, and a whole lot of fun. For you pickleball enthusiasts, FMCA will be offering instruction and an opportunity to play on indoor courts.
FMCA’s 92nd Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase will be held July 29-August 1 at Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin. This event promises to be a hit for all ages, with Madison being a short distance from the Wisconsin Dells and Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Chicago, Illinois; and many other fantastic Midwestern destinations.
For a list of other area rallies on tap for 2015, check out the Association Calendar, which begins on page 104 of this issue.
In 2015 we recognize and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Michigan Knights of the Highway, Midwest Coachmen, Northeastern, and California chapters. What an accomplishment to continue the fun and friendships that FMCA and chapter membership have to offer.
Keep this issue of the magazine in your motorhome as a resource during your travels. Benefits also are listed on FMCA.com. Become familiar with them and use them. We want you to get the most out of your FMCA membership.
Dr. Martin Luther King had a dream that freedom would ring from every hill and valley, coast to coast, and all points in between. He envisioned a time when we would all be accepting of one another and help each other in times of need. His dream, just like that of our forefathers and even of current generations, is to live life more abundantly. FMCA members continue to strive to live that dream of accepting one another and helping each other.
This lifestyle and the adventure of motorhoming lends itself to the attributes of freedom — the freedom to explore, to travel the continent, and to learn more about the people and the world around us.
Let’s all keep dreaming . . .
Safe travels.
The FMCA office will be closed for the New Year’s holiday December 31, 2014, and January 1, 2015. The office also will be closed to regular business on Monday, January 19, 2015, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, as the staff engages in a professional development day, a day where we’ll do some of that dreaming and planning for FMCA.