80th Annual Daytona Bike Week

Bike Week-

According to reports, this was the largest crowd in ten years.  We received outstanding support from Jesse James Dupree and all of our Harley Davidson partners.  Bruce Rossmeyer’s Destination Dayton Harley Davidson took great care of us the entire time.  I was able to do some interviews and drive to several local dealerships to let them know how much we appreciate their support.  You can never thank a partner enough and when possible you should patronize their businesses.  It’s always a two way street. One man who always goes above and beyond when it comes to our corporate partners is Kevin Jamison, Deputy Director of the VFW Foundation.  I’ve never met someone more driven for the mission than Kevin.  He certainly is a driving force when it comes to our VFW relationship with Jesse James Dupree, Mighty Loud Entertainment, and all of the local Harley Davidson dealerships across the country. 

Post 3282, Port Orange Florida:

Post Commander Chris, his wife Debbie, and Post Senior Vice Mike were on point for the entire run of Bike Week.  They tirelessly spent many hours and days manning the recruiting booth, being a great VFW Face to the public, and showing us all what it means to be an engaged member of the VFW and the Auxiliary. That’s why they are All Americans! I had the opportunity to attend their Friday Fish Fry.  When you walk into the Post, you are met with a location that just shouts “America!”.  They’ve done a lot of work over the years re-building their image in the community and it shows.  Two highlights of the evening for me were meeting 100 year old World War II veteran Fred and 94 year old Marine Corps veteran Muriel.  They had more energy than I had!  It was a pleasure to hand them my coin and let them know that they paved the way for people like me to be part of the greatest combat veterans organization ever! 

Jackyl Concert

As always, Jesse and his band Jackyl knocked it out of the park! The venue at Rossmeyer’s was open air, more than standing room only, and was the main event closing out Bike Week.  Even though Mama Cass wasn’t with me, I was still able to get a backstage pass.  She is the real draw of course in any event and Jesse takes care of us!  Access is critical when engaging our corporate partners.  Kevin Jamison made fantastic introductions and I spent a great deal of quality time with current and potentially future partners.  It’s easy to sell the VFW when you have solid programs like Unmet Needs!  Did I mention that Jesse has personally raised over $100,000 for this great project!!  Watching the concert from the wings is always fun [even if it is a bit loud].  Jesse brought the VFW on stage and regaled the crowd with all the great things we do.  It’s quite humbling to be a leader and see all those patriotic bikers cheering for what we do. It was great being there while we all waited to see who was going to win the 2021 Harley Davidson Street Glide

When all is said and done, I can say this was a successful week.  We recruited new members, raised awareness and money for the Unmet Needs program, thanked our partners, and ensured that going forward our partnership with Jesse James Dupree and the Harley Davidson dealerships is going to skyrocket.  It’s up to all of us to get on board and support our supporters!

Kevin holding the signed Jesse James Dupree - VFW branded chainsaw!  We had a lot of people entering the drawing to win this iconic Jackyl symbol!

Radio interview with WILL Rock, one of our big supporters.  Jesse's personal bike, Devil's Devil, in foreground

Thanking our corporate HD sponsors in Gainesville!

Port Orange VFW Post 3282

 

94 year old Marine Corps veteran Muriel.  She was as sassy as any Marine I've ever met!

100 year old WWII Vet Fred and the gang at the Post

Onstage with Jesse waiting to see who will win a dream bike from Harley Davidson!

On the way to visit a a sponsor, we crossed a bridge in Palatka and saw this statue.  It's a replica of the "Spirit of the American Doughboy".  The bridge was dedicated on 11 Nov 1927!  The statue originally looked like the real statue, complete with a rifle in the soldier’s left hand.  On that day, kids were hanging from the rifle and broke it off!  The sculptor added in a not quite correctly sized .45 caliber pistol to fix the statue.  And now you know....the rest of the story!