“Hotrod Breakout”…A Benefit That’s Going Places…

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I’d like to share a few thoughts about some of my dedicated friends; Rosemary and Pat Bonnett, Johnny and Linda Johnson, Chuck Brost, Jesse Hoffman and Eric Von Son for their enthusiastic efforts to assist me in helping those who’ve been wrongfully convicted. Their fervor to benefit those whose voices have been judged, criticized, condemned and ultimately silenced makes me proud to call them friends.

Last year, we all began to promote an organization known as The Innocence Project; a non-profit that represents the wrongfully convicted and helps alleviate the financial burdens they face. We combined talents to create a unique way of soliciting funds to further their mission. Our hope is for this event to become more popular over time and be a significant source of revenue to aid in freeing innocent victims.

The success of the Innocence Project is crucial because of the few and very humbling options these victims have which forces them to rely on the generosity of complete strangers. We must not forget that they have been unfairly criminalized as thugs, murderers and rapists who used to be more accurately seen as an integral part of civilized society-striving for the same amenities in life as all of us do. They were independent and responsible for their own lives. They lived and loved as we do before fate sent them down a much different path. To whatever end awaits them, achieving help from the often overstretched, under funded Projects takes a miracle.

Alas, in the wake of this dismal subject comes action and exciting details of an event we put together last year that we will repeat again this year. We’ve named it, Hotrod Breakout-a classic car show/benefit with proceeds going to the Innocence Project of Minnesota. We are currently getting ready to host our second annual to be held on Saturday, August 2, 2014 from 9 am to 2 pm. Last year we received many donated services and prizes, etc…but this year we are looking for sponsors to help cover costs that will give our event more exposure, make it much more enjoyable and attract even more attendees.

I will disclose more details soon but wanted to include in this piece, mention of the place hosting our event. Route 65 Classics in Ham Lake, Minnesota, “…is dedicated to the classic car and motorcycle enthusiasts looking for the car they “once had” or their dream car.” They answered our prayers last season by providing their location at no charge, and in addition, they made a large monetary donation to our cause. They’re providing the space again this year and have bridged connections to other businesses also willing to participate. We hope this event will be especially successful this year and that it will go down in history as the best car show ever…and one that will drive this wrongful conviction issue back into nonexistence!

A Solid Foundation Built on an Unstable Landscape…

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Whenever I receive letters from the five men in Wisconsin prisons I’m always eager to open them and read about actual prison life. The letters represent history in the making for some special people I’ve yet to meet. These letters are also a valuable source for them to vent freely without fear of undue judgment. I never forget the deeply personal messages contained in them are from vulnerable men who’ve placed their trust in me and most likely hope that I will never betray that trust.

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Michael Hirn. (Courtesy of artist/writer, Jared Manninen) 

Michael Hirn easily fills both sides of two pages with whatever is on his mind. He’s always focused and clarifies the humility and patience needed in prison because of how difficult it is to be recognized for accomplishments. He often airs his complaints before apologizing for harboring angry feelings. But he doesn’t dwell on criticism and ends his letters with a sincere appreciation for those who’ve shown support. Michael is and always has been a hard worker. He’s never wavered in the belief that he will one day be free. And he’s determined to help correct the many flaws within the justice system that could benefit those still incarcerated. I believe he will follow through with that mission and I’ll lend whatever assistance I can to support his efforts.

During last year’s Walk for Truth and Justice in Green Bay, I was introduced to Michael’s son, Tyler; his only child. Tyler was a baby when his Father was taken so he’s never known his dad outside of prison. Even so, Tyler is polite, mature, and kind despite the unfairness bestowed upon his family. He’s grown into a handsome adult who shows tremendous gratitude for all that is being done for his dad.

Michael had sent me a picture of the two of them taken at the prison over the holidays. Their smiles expressed their close relationship despite the separation. That picture is on my refrigerator as a reminder of why I continue to be so passionate about helping these people.

Michael is the youngest of the five incarcerated men. He’s lost the best years of his life that should have been spent with his son. He was an avid outdoors-man who should have been able to spend all of his spare time teaching his son how to fish and do the things that fathers and sons do.They’ll never get those years back. But when given the chance I know they’ll somehow find a way to pick up the pieces and build a new life. They’ll do the best they can because of the solid foundation on which they’ve built their relationship.

Ignorance on Both Sides of One Story…

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Awhile ago, I met up with David; an attorney from Green Bay, Wisconsin who is well-intentioned but also aware of the uphill battles in regard to exposing the real truths surrounding the Wisconsin Monfils case. He lived in the area when the case unfolded and told me his thoughts about our new efforts.

“I don’t think we’ll ever see the day when those other five guys get out of prison,” he said.

Despite his personal beliefs that the men are indeed innocent, he wasn’t convinced the local legal community will ever allow them to be released. He believes the authorities will circumvent actions that would be favorable to their release, and he also felt that too much time has passed to effectively go back and re-investigate. I remember thinking that he could be absolutely right. But my reply to him was something similar to being “too stupid” or “too ignorant” to understand that concept. Even in those early days, I was determined to never take no for an answer because of my belief in another concept; that the truth always sets us free.

I’m certain this lovely man saw me as a foolish dreamer and that I was setting myself up for failure and disappointment. But what he failed to recognize was my complete abandonment of logical reasoning that, to me, serves as a pathway to perseverance. He also failed to realize that I was willing to be the bridge to finding whomever was needed to actually pull this off.

I’ll admit as I look back to where our efforts have taken us during the past five years that what has happened since is an absolute miracle. I see it as a good thing that my ignorance shielded me from allowing his professional to cloud my determination. His doubts did, in fact, give me added incentive to prove him and other naysayers wrong. Over time, as developments have unfolded, renewed hope has replaced old doubt within him. He was even afforded the opportunity to eventually engage in conversations with our new attorney!

Thanks to our dedicated legal team, more recent progress has put this case back into the spotlight. Although there is still much work to be done, their efforts have initiated a somewhat successful mission that has brought us farther than we ever could have imagined. In retrospect, there have been many bumps in the road. And we anticipate many more. But the ignorance within this community about what is and what is not possible, about what is true and what is false, will have to be stifled so that the facts of this matter can come to light.

Stay tuned…