I know this is an older article/occurrence, but just came across it. Anyone ever see this bike in person?

http://www.historynet.com/the-harley...t-the-wall.htm

 

Awesome story! Thanks for sharing.

 

I love the last bit ... Waiting for someone to come pick up the Huey !!!

 

Thanks for posting, great story.

 

Good story.

 

Kinda chokes me up!

Had know idea.

 

Great story. I had never seen this. It's great to see the lengths people go to show respect to their fallen brothers in arms. Thanks for sharing

 

That is excellent.

Thanks

 

After doing a bit more reading on the topic found this:

http://www.nps.gov/mrc/indexvvm.htm

WHAT ARE THE MOST SURPRISING AND/OR CURIOUS ITEMS LEFT? A few that come to mind are:

• The storm door and tiger cage assemblage mentioned above.
• A large (about 6' high), abstract assemblage sculpture called "After the Holocaust." This sculpture was left during the initial years of the Memorial's history by a group protesting the U.S.'s atomic energy policies.
• An abstract painting, about 1' by 2', with a dedication on its reverse to Agent Orange victims.
• Numerous unit patches that were not authorized by the military but were adopted informally by members of a unit. These are often extremely rare.
• A brown teddy bear which was left at the wall without any clothes or adornments. According to witnesses, as he sat at the wall, visitors "dressed" him with various accoutrements, such as a canteen, a bayonet, and a veterans' jacket.
• The only Medal of Honor (according to our research) ever voluntarily returned to the Government by its recipient. The donor, a former Army chaplain, left his Medal in protest of U.S. mid-1980s involvement in Central America.
• A great many photographs taken "In Country" that show various aspects of the life of the common soldier in Vietnam.
• A small, faded portrait photograph of a North Vietnamese Army soldier and a young girl. (Perhaps his daughter?) The photo was left by an American veteran, along with a letter in which the veteran told of his encounter with the man in the photograph.
• A "show" Harley-Davidson motorcycle, left during Memorial Day, 1995 by motorcycle enthusiasts from Wisconsin. The license plate is stamped "HERO." The plate was summarily retired by the governor of Wisconsin. The bike's extended fork is festooned with 37 dog tags which are representative of the 37 casualties and missing in action of Wisconsin. The body of the bike is painstakingly painted with Vietnam scenes.
• Military special skills badges, combat awards, and the like that are traditionally donated to military museums or bequeathed to family.

From FAQs page. The ten most common categories of items left at The Wall are:


1.Various small notes, writings, and framed tributes and sentiments (not all of which could be properly classified as "letters"). Many have no addressee in particular. 2.POW/MIA (Prisoner of War/Missing in Action) commemorative bracelets. 3.Rubbings taken from names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.4.U. S. flags, and those of states and other countries (Canada appears to be the most common country after the U.S.)5.Various small metal and cloth insignia (patches, badges, etc.) 6.Uniforms and parts of uniforms, including boots. 7.Small pieces of personal gear (lighters, can openers, etc.) 8.Various small religious and other devotional items (Bibles, rosaries, personal considerations distinguished by scriptural passages, etc.) 9.Foodstuffs of various kinds and ages of manufacture. 10.Photographs, both of places and of people in Vietnam. These images capture both people and events reflecting the Vietnam-era on both the home and the war front.

 

I remember the story but have not seen the bike.