HD-military-<
Armed Forces, Veterans, and Harley-Davidson go together like Red, White and Blue
by Tracey Lloyd
For over 80 years the Harley-Davidson Company has transported and protected soldiers with innovative technology and superior design. In return, thousands of Veterans and active duty soldiers bought and continue to buy H-D motorcycles, advancing the legendary motor company’s growth into a pop culture icon. Harley-Davidson’s long-standing policy of providing assistance to U.S. military personal remains consistent and firm. Through the years, H-D’s unwavering military support cultivated America’s love for the company so much that owning a Harley-Davidson motorcycle is now an integral part of the American dream.
During the Mexican Border conflict, Harley-Davidson got it’s first military order and the company developed a long-term relationship with the United States Armed Forces. In 1916 William S. Harley designed and built the first twelve military motorcycles with sidecar gunner carriages. The order for armed forces motorcycles quickly doubled.
HD-military-
During WWI Harley-Davidson produced original, specialized, military motorcycles specifically designed for wartime use. The H-D legend grew into mystique when just one day after the World War I armistice, the first American to enter Germany rode a Harley-Davidson motorcycle across the border. By the end of WWII close to 70,000 American and Russian soldiers rode Harley-Davidson cycles. After the Persian Gulf War Harley-Davidson’s production of military motorcycles ended. However, the company continues to support American troops, disabled Veterans, and military families.
In spite of Harley-Davidson’s discontinuation of military production, literally thousands of Veterans, active duty soldiers, and their families will only ride American made Harley-Davidson motorcycles. At the Harley-Davidson website forums the question was asked, “How many combat veteran riders are out there?” There are 18 response pages from American Veterans who ride Harley’s. There are 26 response pages in answer to “How many Patriot Guard Riders out there?” The answers come from brave soldiers who served their country with honor and pride. True patriots, these men and women believe in freedom enough to risk their lives for it. The soldiers ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles, because the Harley-Davidson Motor Company still supports American freedom.
HD-military-
In addition, thousands of motorcycle clubs include members who are Veterans or active duty soldiers. The clubs boast past, present, and future heroes who are fiercely loyal to America and to the Harley-Davidson Company. Following Harley-Davidson’s example of social responsibility, Veteran motorcycle clubs are deeply committed to improving the quality of life for people in their communities. Each year Harley riders raise money for good causes like Toys for Tots or cancer victims. Through donations, bike runs, and fundraisers, local motorcycle clubs strive to make a positive difference in society while riding their Harley-Davidson motorcycles with pride.
Even though Harley-Davidson no longer builds military motorcycles, the company continues to honor active duty soldiers and Veterans. Last year in 2010, the Harley-Davidson Foundation granted $1 million to the Disabled American Veterans organization for the second time. The Harley website includes an entire section dedicated to the American soldiers and Veterans with links to special programs like Harley’s Heroes and fundraisers for USO care packages.
Since the first military order in 1916 the legendary Harley-Davidson Motor Company has continuously worked to make a difference in the lives of American soldiers. Due to superior design technology and a long history of loyalty and commitment to American troops, the Harley-Davidson Company is a true American icon and HD motorcycles are still America’s favorite ride.
To make a donation or learn more about Harley-Davidson’s past and present military support efforts, visit the Harley-Davidson Foundation or the Harley’s Heroes website.
Are we forgetting any momentous Harley/Military moments? Let us know in the Forums!
Photographs and captions courtesy of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company Archives.
via Harley-Davidson and the U.S. Miltary: A Match For the Ages – HDForums.com Harley Davidson Forums.
Denver Eldridge @ December 7, 2011
Something to think about…
CATCHING PIGS
THIS IS THOUGHT PROVOKING.
There was a chemistry professor in a large college that had some
exchange students in the class. One day while the class was in the lab, the professor noticed one young man, an exchange student, who kept rubbing his back and stretching as if his back hurt. The professor asked the young man what was the matter. The student told him he had a bullet lodged in his back. He had been shot while fighting communists in his native country who were trying to overthrow his country’s government and install a new communist regime.
In the midst of his story, he looked at the professor and asked a
strange question. He asked: “Do you know how to catch wild pigs?”
The professor thought it was a joke and asked for the punch line.
The young man said that it was no joke. “You catch wild pigs by finding a suitable place in the woods and putting corn on the ground. The pigs find it and begin to come every day to eat the free corn.
“When they are used to coming every day, you put a fence down one side of the place where they are used to coming. When they get used to the fence, they begin to eat the corn again and you put up another side of the fence.
“They get used to that and start to eat again. You continue until you
have all four sides of the fence up with a gate in the last side.
“The pigs, which are used to the free corn, start to come through the
gate to eat that free corn again. You then slam the gate on them and
catch the whole herd. Suddenly the wild pigs have lost their freedom.
They run around and around inside the fence, but they are caught. Soon they go back to eating the free corn. They are so used to it that they have forgotten how to forage in the woods for themselves, so they accept their captivity.”
The young man then told the professor that is exactly what he sees
happening in America . The government keeps pushing us toward
Communism/Socialism and keeps spreading the free corn out in the form of programs such as supplemental income, tax credit for unearned income, tax exemptions, tobacco subsidies, dairy subsidies, payments not to plant crops (CRP), welfare, medicine, drugs, etc. while we continually lose our freedoms, just a little at a time.
One should always remember two truths: There is no such thing as a free lunch and you can never hire someone to provide a service for you cheaper than you can do it yourself.
If you see that all of this wonderful government ‘help’ is a problem
confronting the future of democracy in America, you might want to share this with your friends. If you think the free ride is essential to your way of life, then you will probably wont.
Help us all when the gate slams shut!
Quote for today:
“The problems we face today are there because the people who work for a living are now outnumbered by those who vote for a living.” — Anonymous
Denver Eldridge @ December 6, 2011