When We Are Needed Most

This morning, I wanted to share a message of gratitude that comes from Brittany Rawson - widow of Andrew Rawson with you. This exemplifies exactly what the Biker Community does best: We come together when we are needed most.

For those who may not know, former Eastside Harley and Destination Harley employee Andrew Rawson was killed on his motorcycle in San Francisco on December 7th, 2022. At only 29 years old, Andrew left behind his wife Britanny and their four children ages 18 months to 7 years old. His father Scott Rawson worked here as Service Manager, and his two brothers Scotty and Mike worked here as well, along with Scott’s wife Tricia Rawson. This last summer the entire family moved to the Bay area to take new positions in a family of five dealerships. Andrew was on his way to work when the accident occurred.

The family decided to have the memorial service in Tacoma due to their close connections and family here in the Puget Sound area. I was asked to M/C the service, and our local Black Sheep chapters were asked to organize the meal following the memorial service. Moreover, the Harley Davidson community stepped up, raising untold thousands of dollars to help support Britanny and the children. Back in the Bay area, the San Jose Black Sheep chapter also jumped into action, raising funds and helping in any way they could. Here locally and beyond, HOG members, area dealerships, and many others were moved to bless this family in ways I can’t even recount – including many of you. And on a rainy, cold Sunday afternoon in January 150 family members, friends, and bikers showed up to the service to pay our respects to Andrew and love on this family.

Once the family returned home, Patrick from our San Jose Black Sheep chapter lined up some folks from his church to help Brittany and the kids move. She shared the following email with Patrick and asked him to share with others who had stepped up to help:

“Today was moving day. It was hard. Emotionally I’m not ready. Everything is yet again packed up and moved into storage. I hate this, I really do.

I will share that the kids and I have been very blessed with the outpouring love and support from so many people. Andrew was an amazing man, and his story has touched so many people’s hearts. The Harley community has been amazing in so many ways. The Black Sheep of Washington helped tremendously for his memorial, they catered the whole thing and helped in numerous other ways as well. The Black Sheep of San Jose, and the help of several people in their church, helped me move everything out of my house and into my storage unit. I truly don’t even have words, other than thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Andrew’s dad & his wife opened their home to the kids and I, I couldn’t be more thankful. Andrew’s mom has been my emotional rock and helped a lot with the setup and organizing the memorial. His brothers have made sure to remind me they are here no matter what, and helped move today as well. Alexis and Emily have been by my side and reminded me that they’re here whenever, at whatever time of day. Alexis has been so helpful with the kids in this big transition of being the only parent. One of Andrew’s good friends helped

me move today too. My brother and sister, along with their spouses, have been my constant reminders that they love me and support me in any way they possibly can. I get almost daily “I love you from my mom. My aunt reminds me I’m strong and the best momma for my babies.

Every single family member in Andrew’s family (obviously they are my family too) have been so supportive and loving through it all, with a daily I love you or you’re doing great messages. Cassie and Mike came from Oregon to pack my entire house to help make this a little bit easier. They made bears for the kids out of Andrews shirts.

Every single message, text, Facebook comment, hug, words of encouragement, literally everything has not gone unnoticed. I am so appreciative of everything, I truly am. While I am grieving the loss of my best friend, my husband, my baby’s daddy, I look at the outpouring of love we have received and am just amazed by it all. I couldn’t do this without the village that I have.

So, if I haven’t told you thank you, or shown it, please take this as a genuine thank you. Thank you for showing not only myself, but my babies that we are so very loved. Thank you for just being there to make my days a little bit brighter. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. “

I have stood before you and said this in the past, but it certainly bears repeating once again. We were created for community. This is our highest calling – to be in community and serve one another, love one another, and bless one another. Brittany’s heartfelt expression of gratitude underscores this truth.

Thank you for blessing this family – members or our amazing community.

Kerry "Kry Baby" Skaugset
Eastside HOG Chaplain