Billy, a Harley rider and veteran from Wyoming eats a strawberry shortcake ice cream pop. AARP donated one dollar for each ice cream given away at Sturgis to the Fisher House Foundation.
I’ve spent a nice chunk of time in western South Dakota including a stint living in the gorgeous Black Hills town of Spearfish. I’ve met plenty of incredible people including a Wild Bill Hickock impersonator in Deadwood, teachers, a casino owner, bikers, veterans and one of the smartest reporters I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. While there I also experienced the annual noisy and exciting change to the region as around a million people come to the area that typically has just over a tenth of that on a normal day on every type of motorcycle you could imagine during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
This summer, while engaging with families of all ages, AARP had a plan to help military and veteran families and literally keep motorcyclists cool during the Sturgis rally. For each ice cream AARP gave away for free at their block party in Sturgis, one dollar, would go to the Fisher House Foundation, an organization best known for a network of comfort homes where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving medical treatment.
AARP succeeded to the tune of five thousand dollars donated to the Fisher House Foundation, and has plans to do more for veterans and military families throughout the year. Now, as we leave this louder than a million motorcycles election season behind us, we can begin a season of appreciation for veterans in mid-November, and for our families later in November, even as we bicker around a turkey.
If on Veteran’s Day weekend, you feel like watching some television, and appreciating veterans by hearing several describe a pivotal battle in which they fought, then you may want to tune in to the American Heroes Channel (AHC), who have teamed up with AARP on an all-new special, “The Battle I’ll Never Forget,” which makes its world premiere Friday, November 11, 2016, at 10/9c, on AHC. Featuring some of its heroes in first-hand accounts, the special examines some of the most critical conflicts in American history.
I hope to visit the Black Hills and South Dakota again soon, where I have some great memories. If you get the chance to visit, all of the natural beauty, places to visit, and the generosity of the people may make you want to extend your trip. In between visits to the Black Hills and in the meantime, I hope we all appreciate our veterans and military families this Veteran’s Day and our own families this holiday season.
A biker and veteran adds his favorite rode to AARP’s “What’s Your Perfect Ride?” board in Sturgis