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"Chrome at the Home" Bike Show for Veterans


This past Saturday was the "Chrome at the Home" event for residents at the Idaho State Veteran's home in Boise. The event was organized by some local Harley groups and I was there as a volunteer.


The day was cool and rainy which really hurt attendance, but regardless of the weather, the aging veterans were very enthusiastic to make friends, chat, and to see the many bikes on hand.


The day's various events included a bike show, a couple of fundraising auctions, as well as cookout. Later in the day, the Harley groups did a poker run and the cold rain stopped so they had a dry ride. 


This young volunteer manned the POW-MIA booth which honored Idaho's 8 Vietnam vets who remain missing, but not forgotten, so many years after the war's end. 


To me, this is the Captain America bike that Chris Evans briefly rode in the first movie. It's probably not the same, but it is pretty close. Before you mention that drip pan under the engine, remember this veteran was fighting for freedom before most of us were born!


Here was another vintage war machine. This awesome Jeep was a popular attraction with the vets and it is easy to see why. I would love a chance to fire that machine gun mounted in the rear!


As a KLR rider, I felt a bit out of place among the patch covered, leather vests, and the loud pipes that save lives. Regardless, I was glad to help where needed and my hat is off to these Harley Riders for their caring and sincere efforts in holding this great for the state's veteran's. 

At the Vietnam Veterans Traveling Memorial

The traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall is in the area this weekend and I stopped by to pay my respects.


As a veteran, I wanted to see the wall and a lot of other veteran-riders were on hand for this morning's ceremony. Once again, Sally was the only KLR in Cool Kids Parking.


I did 23 years in the United States Air Force, but always admired the U.S.Marines for their toughness, discipline, and those spiffy uniforms.



This was a special display for the Purple Heart. Besides Vietnam veterans, the wall is a tribute to veterans from all conflicts as well as September 11th first responders.


This replica wall is 80 percent the size of the wall in Washington D.C. and is 360 feet long. It travels to 30 locations every year.  


Today's ceremony honored POW-MIA veterans. The mayor and several guest speakers made speeches and several local veteran and motorcycle groups participated in the tribute.  


I had no name to find on the wall. Regardless, the traveling memorial is a solemn and impressive sight. So many names...so many lives lost.


Former president Calvin Coolidge is seldom remembered, but I like many of his quotes. One of today's speakers used a Coolidge quote that was new to me, and it was very appropriate for the occasion.


"The Nation that forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten" - Calvin Coolidge.