Bikers Honor WWII Vet With Special Tribute Ride

Honoring a Hero

If there's one thing that we know quite well about the Harley-Davidson community, it's that they're typically the first people to help those in need, as well as honor those who have served our country. Recently, that's precisely what happened when a group of bikers paid a special tribute to a World World II vet with a ride that clearly meant a lot to the hero being honored, according to CTV News.

One of Their Own

The whole thing went down when the Canadian Army Veteran (CAV) motorcycle-riding unit rolled into town. The group - which is comprised of veterans and active-duty members of the military and RCMP - was there for one specific purpose, and that was to pay tribute to Orville Marshall, a 102-year-old WWII veteran. 

Honorary Membership

The CAV presented Marshall with an honorary membership into the club and a vest, even though he hasn't ridden a motorcycle since 1945 - when he served in the war. The whole thing was planned by Marshall's niece, Tina Stefanson, who reached out to the CAV to help honor his long-standing wish. 

Reaching Out

"Uncle has been asking me for the last three to four years if I could take him on a motorcycle ride, and unfortunately, I couldn't," Stefanson said. "I put out a request on Facebook, and the response was overwhelming."

Taking a Ride

CAV was quick to heed that call, and offered to help by providing not only this special ceremony, but also giving Marshall the chance to take a ride - albeit in a sidecar, alongside 20 other members of the club. "I was able to take him for a ride on the motorcycle in the sidecar. It was a little bit chilly, so we dressed him up, and we all had lunch together after," said Stefanson.

Shocked and Appreciative

The whole group kept this event a secret until the day they pulled it off, and needless to say, it was a heartwarming experience for all involved. Marshall was quite shocked by the whole thing, and obviously, very much appreciative of it as well. 

Secret to Longevity

Aside from sharing stories of his time at war, Marshall was also keen to spend some time with his group of fellow bikers, as well as don his new gear and share a bit of advice on how he managed to make it past the century mark - simply "behave yourself," he suggested to the crowd that gathered. 

>>Join in the conversation about this special tribute right here in Harley-Davidson Forums.

For help with your do-it-yourself maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.