***LAS VEGAS, NV 9/11/2004***

Many thanks to Las Vegas Harley-Davidson and all the supporters of the benefit for Nellis Airmen and families.  After all the festivities surrounding the unveiling of the new 2005 bikes,  and a spectacular sunset ride ending with a heart thumping high-speed cruise down the jet runway of Nellis Air Force Base with Neveda desert lightning flashing all around on the horizon,  over $25,000 raised by 1000 motorcycle riders was donated at the Thunderbirds'  hanger itself to be given directly to all the airmen and families upon their return in order to pay (...as the general of the base put it so well) "....not for administration salaries or general's salaries and such,  but 100% to pay for things like baby-sitters and dinners and a night out for the airmen

( ...and air women) themselves to share with their loved ones"  This was the first time since the1960s civillians have been allowed on the famous high-security base and it was over 1000 bikers with some of the biggest hearts for some of the bravest men and women in the world.

Regardless of why some of us may disagree with the reasons for some of these dangerous tours of duty and putting our children and families in harm's way,  we will always support our troops themselves and the fact that they always lay it all on the line for us,  our safety,  and for all of us to have the most freedoms,  and freedoms of speech,   than any other country on Earth