Borrowed from another message board:




Chick Hancock, owner of Chick’s Harley Davidson in Albuquerque, New Mexico has long been a supporter of Run For the Wall and of our Veterans. Chick has generously provided lunch for the Central Route RFTW riders when we have stopped in Albuquerque. But this past Christmas 2004, Chick showed an even greater generosity to U.S. Army Pfc. Robert Ruiz.

December 28, 2003, Pfc.Ruiz tripped a booby trap set by insurgents in Iraq, having spikes tear thru his boot and turn his right foot into mincemeat. Ruiz earned the Purple Heart last year for his injuries. Ruiz is currently on leave and is undergoing rehabilitation for his foot injury and nerve damage to his back.

Despite all this, Ruiz had a dream. He told his father before leaving for Iraq in 2003 that he wanted to get a bike so that he could ride with his father. On Christmas Eve 2004, Robert’s father took him to Chick’s on the premise of taking pictures of motorcycles. Robert’s father asked him to wear his dress uniform.

To Robert’s surprise, he was greeted with applause and an Infantry Blue Harley-Davidson Sportster that had been customized just for him. Chick Hancock said that Ruiz's selfless patriotism deserved to be rewarded.

This huge generosity was hatched by a simple inquiry to Chick from Robert’s wife, Andrea. She knew Robert really wanted a motorcycle, and she inquired of Chick about financing options. She wasn’t asking for any special treatment, but after learning of Ruiz’s plight, Chick and the rest of the employees decided to get Ruiz a Harley. Chick Hancock recognized Private Ruiz’s selfless contribution, a guy who is 28-years-old with a wife and three kids who just wanted to do right by our country.

The doctors had wanted to amputate Robert’s foot, but he told them he was going to need that foot! He recognizes he has some work to do before he is able to ride, but he will soon be proudly astride an Infantry Blue Harley-Davidson Sportster…compliments of Chick Hancock and his wonderful staff.
reprinted from RFTW newsletter

 

Hey Rob, thats a great story! Thanks for puttin it up.

 

Yea, thats right on. Not enough is done for the guys and gals who put it on the line for us.

 

Chick's has a nice shop, a real nice staff, and the last time I was there, about 2 months ago, they were selling for MSRP.

Regards,

Bill

 

I like to read these stories. Things are much different now for our warriors than they were about 30-40 years ago for another generation coming home from Vietnam.

Mac

 

Wow! What a fabulous story!!? God Bless Robert Ruiz and his family...and Chick too.[8D]

 

I can't begin to say the right words for the selfless generousity of those actions except,
God Bless them...

 

Should I ever decide to buy a new HD, Chick will get a call. And if I need HD parts he will also get a call. I can't express how good that story made me feel!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Great story,

Thanks for sharing.

Let us know when he is well enough to ride, that would be the perfect ending.


David

 

Rob,

Thanks for a good read.

HD