KEITH'S HARLEY & TRIBUTE VEST 9-17-08

Back on 9-4-08, I did a post about Keith, who is retired and lives up in Tulsa Oklahoma. He ordered a 2009 Harley Ultra Classic that he is going to make into a tribute bike to fighter pilots in memory of his father, who was a fighter pilot and, at one time, Commander of the 3630th Training Wing here at Sheppard AFB. Keith tells me that his father's history will be added to the Heritage Center (History & Museum of Sheppard AFB located on the base) and there will be a ceremony & induction. Keith advised that he would let me know when this is to happen and I will do an update on that day. Keith has sent me the following pictures of his Screaming Eagle & vest and some artwork, so scroll down to view Keith & his Harley, vest & other tribute items...REMEMBER: IF YOU WANT TO SEE IT BIGGER, JUST CLICK ON THE PICTURE!!



This is some artwork that Keith is contemplating having put on his tribute bike. Harley is supposed to ship his 09 Ultra Classic on 9-26-08, to Tulsa...

He took this picture of these T-38's and is going to have something similar painted on the front fairing. The following poem will be on the back luggage case, one that most are familiar with:

The poem, High Flight, has over the years become a mantra to pilots.It is reproduced here as a tribute to, and in memory of pilots of all generations.
High Flight: Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long delirious, burning blue, I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or even eagle flew -And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod the high untresspassed sanctity of space, put out my hand and touched the face of God.
Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee No 412 squadron, RCAF Killed 11 December 1941

Here is Keith's tribute vest, with his father's patches, rank & command pilot wings.

The back of Keith's tribute vest with more of his father's unit patches.

Here is a picture of Keith's old Screaming Eagle Harley Sportster

Keith's Harley Screaming Eagle Sportster. Keith told me it was a good looking bike & he was 100% correct. Especially if you are like alot of us that like Black Harley's

Here is Keith on his Screaming Eagle. He sold the bike & is bikeless until he gets his new Ultra Classic...

Here is the picture of me & Keith that Janice took, when he came down to Texas. I will be making a run up to Tulsa when he gets his Ultra Classic and get pics of it stock and then again when he gets the tribute artwork put on..

This will conclude this post. I look forward to seeing Keith again and to the ride to Tulsa when he gets his new Harley. This is quite an honor to his father that he is doing and one I am sure his father is watching, with pride, from above. I will do more updates as I hear from Keith.

Scroll down for more events, rides & posts and don't forget to click on the "older posts" link at the bottom of each page for more posts back to January 08. Until next ride & post, ya'll be careful, ride safe & keep the rubber on the road..........JOHN