Harley Celebrated National Armed Forces Day with a Huge Party
Celebration included 15-mile journey from New Berlin, Wis., to the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee.
On Armed Forces Day on May 20, Harley-Davidson showed its support by participating in the 14th Annual Support the Troops ride.
As WISN 2 reports, this year’s ride saw bikers travel from Hal’s Harley-Davidson in New Berlin, Wis., to the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee. The journey took roughly 20 minutes to complete and had riders covering approximately 15 miles on their bikes. And despite cold temperatures in the area, the ride went on without a hitch.
“Harley-Davidson has been absolutely terrific about supporting us,” said Captain Thomas M. Plantenberg, a retired veteran who’s taking place in the ride. “[It’s] One of the most patriotic companies in America.”
In addition to the ride, Ken Pezewski, spoke at the ceremony at the Harley-Davidson Museum. Pezewski was part of the small group of enthusiasts that were responsible for donating Wisconsin’s Rolling Memorial Bike to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. and was on hand to talk about the bike’s history.
‘Harley-Davidson has been absolutely terrific about supporting [veterans].
It’s One of the most patriotic companies in America.’
“We built the bike in ’95 and we took it out there to represent Wisconsin,” said Pezewski. “Something that from Wisconsin that we wanted to bring there. What do you bring? Beer, cheese, the Packers? Harley-Davidson.”
A special Armed Forces ceremony took place after the ride, which included giveaways, award ceremonies, and, of course, the ability to see hundreds and hundreds of Harleys.
For Harley-Davidson enthusiasts in the area that missed this year’s ride, don’t fret, as it will definitely happen next year. Just know that the Annual Support the Troops Ride and the special Armed Forces ceremony take place rain or shine.
