For anyone in the region interested, we will be having our annual poker run May 29th. For anyone who doesn’t know, Foundation 14 is a nonprofit focused on veterans riding. Over the past 4 years, we have gotten 15 veterans on the road either through motorcycle donations or modifications for disabilities. This year’s Memorial Day ride will involve a bike presentation at the end. I will include that write up after the flier. Feel free to come out!





Introducing - Justin Shellhammer, US ARMY
Foundation 14 - Partner, Bike Recipient
May 29, 2021

We would like to introduce you to Justin Shellhammer - Foundation 14’s next bike recipient.

Like all veterans, Justin has his own story - what makes him unique. We are often asked about our selection process – so here is another example of someone who exemplifies the American Spirit. The quick and dirty: Justin served proudly and continues to serve his community and fellow veterans; despite having his own challenges.

This is why we have selected him.

We first learned about Justin over a year ago after he had made changes in his life - choices to manage some of his demons; to take them head-on. These were issues stemming from his service which threatened everything that was important to him. He wanted to watch his children grow up. And, he wanted to grow old with his amazing, beautiful, and supportive wife.

He and his wife have been riding since they were both children. She has childhood memories of riding on the back of both her father and uncle’s bikes. For Justin, talk to him for just a few minutes and you wonder if it is blood that runs through his veins or synthetic blend.

Justin joined the Army on February 3, 2000- right before his 21st birthday.

His first deployment was a peace-keeping mission soon after completing basic. He was with the 551 MP CO. out of Ft Campbell Ky (home of the 101st Air assault) and deployed at the end of 2000.
He returned home and got married (to his now ex-wife).

In 2002, Justin deployed to Africa, where he worked on missions and also set the base up .... for his Christmas present that year he was given orders to go to Iraq. His unit was part of the initial invasion into Baghdad. He returned home in July of 2003.

In Nov 2004, his first child Alexis was born. She was 6 months old when orders came down for Afghanistan. He was only there for 3 short weeks when he stepped on a land mine.

Justin was a Squad Leader of an SRT team and the base got mortared when they got called into action. They drove down the road until it went to a goat trail. Dismounting their trucks leaving a team leader and three gunners, he took the rest of his men with him. When he saw a mortar sticking out of the ground he went to do a controlled halt but was bumped into and lost his balance.
He stepped on the land mine .... and lost his leg instantly.

His men took care of him and ensured that he lost minimum blood - they saved his life. Justin maintained consciousness throughout the entire experience. (Like the badass he is) He continued giving orders and taking care of his men while they were taking care of him.

When they got him back to the truck - he called in his own 9 line medevac.

When they made it back to base and he saw the first doctor, the first thing Justin told him - he wanted to be able to ride motorcycles (he had just bought a brand new dirt bike and hadn’t even ridden yet).

Given the damage to his remaining leg, Justin was told he would be lucky to just walk.

They didn’t know Justin.

Fast-forward to May when he completed a 2mile run as part of his physical therapy.

Then in Sept of that year, to honor the 9/11 firemen and EMS he ran in the Tunnel-To-Towers run, he completed it in just 45 mins.
After his retirement from the Army, his first son Aiden was born in Aug 2006.

Justin found employment with Lehman trikes. If he couldn’t ride - he could help build them. Ironically, his job was turning 2 wheel bikes into 3 wheel trikes. But, he needed to support his growing family and this wasn’t paying the bills.

So, he went back to what he knew and became a police officer with the Belle Fourche SD PD, and then later Sturgis, until he retired due to PTSD in 2015. Following his divorce, he then moved back to Ohio.

Along the way, Justin decided to not give up on the one thing he loved doing - riding motorcycles. He bought himself a killer bike that turned heads everywhere. A 2016 victory magnum stealth x-1.
Then life really started looking better when he met his current wife in 2017. They got married and his 2nd son Elijah was born in Sept 2018 when he became a stay-at-home dad. His 2nd daughter Emersyn was born in July 2020.

That's when the house needed to be remodeled. A choice he wouldn't change - but he had to put his family first. He had to sell the bike. Family is very important to him.

Yet, Justin knew something was still missing...

Foundation 14 stood out to Justin because he missed the brotherhood and the feeling of people always having your back no matter what.

In his words, Foundation 14 "Is not just people that happen to have motorcycles and go Riding..... you are much more than that - you’re family!! You are brothers and sisters ....."

Thank you Justin for your service!! This motorcycle isn't a gift - It is a signing bonus. You exemplify what it means to be a warrior and leader. Your love for your family, your brothers and your country.

We are proud to have you as part of the Foundation.

Be there on May 29th - when Justin is presented with his motorcycle and welcome him home!!
#Foundation14 #KeepMovn #combatveteran #vetsonbikes #usarmy #warriors