Day 3, Sturgis Bike Rally--Military Appreciation Day!

 Well Friends, another day in the books and the VFW showed its colors in full force.  Interviews with the media ran the gamut from print to radio to television.  I wasn't too sure about the TV interview...I've been told I have a great face for radio!

One of the more interesting radio interviews happened in The Knuckle Saloon.  Yes, they have a radio booth in the bar!  Billy the DJ calls it the Voice of Sturgis on the Pirate Radio Network.  It's a low power station with a limited range, but they have been broadcasting at the Sturgis Bike Week Rally for many years.  Great music, entertaining DJ, and they had me on the air.  I'd say that's a winner!

Sturgis and the motorcycle enthusiast community take their love of veterans to the next level.  People wearing service specific clothing and caps, bike vests adorned with militaria, and FLAGS, yes FLAGS, flying all over proclaiming this is a slice of America and they are proud of it.  I was honored by the City of Sturgis to be the guest of honor on the photo tower at the main drag downtown.  I asked Barb the South Dakota Commander to join me and she was on it.  What a dynamo!  On that tower and looking down the street at the thousands of bikers was amazing.  The announcer let me say a few words to the crowd before the official photo and I simply thanked all of them for their great support of veterans.  The roar of the crowd overtook the roar of the motorcycles.  I haven't seen the official photo but the pics Barb took are awesome.  The population count is supposed to be record breaking this year.  We'll see!

More interviews followed and then off to the Harley Davidson Rally Point amphitheater for an outstanding program. Once again honored by the City to be the keynote speaker, I let everyone know that the VFW has proudly been a sponsor of the city as well as the bike rally for many years and we will continue that commitment.  The roar of the bikes from Dakota Thunder wasn't noise:  It was the sound of Freedom and these Americans aren't afraid to show their love of country!  Feeding on that, and in line with the program, I explained we were dedicating a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument.  The VFW was a major contributor toward the cost of the monument and rightfully so.  Gold Star Families are people whose loved ones have died in war.  They live with that pain every day for the rest of their lives.  It's only fitting that we pay tribute to them.  [You will recall I attended a Gold Star Monument dedication back in June in West Virginia.  There is a monument in every state now!]

Following the program, we headed out to the town of Deadwood to have dinner with members of the Post there.  What a beautiful Post, situated right in the heart of town.  Lots of bikes there too! Commander John has a lot to be proud of when it comes to the Post and what they do with the community.  

That's it for now, tomorrow is another day serving veterans and spreading the word of the VFW!

A mock up of the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument.  Ground breaking begins next month.  

The Knuckle Saloon!

Inside the Saloon, inside the bar, inside the radio booth!  Pirate Radio at it's best and everyone in the Sturgis area listens

A view of the gathering crowd for the Official 81st Sturgis Bike Rally photograph.  According to reports will be the largest gathering of bikers in the world

Barb is the selfie master.  She took this while we were waiting for the crowd to gather.  So exciting to speak to that large crowd from up there!

More heights!  On the roof of the parking garage attached to the Black Hills VFW Post in Deadwood.  What a view!

The view from the roof of the VFW Post in Deadwood.

Addressing the crowd at the Harley Davidson Rally Point Amphitheater.  Who needs notes when you speak from the heart about the great things the Veterans of Foreign Wars does!