By KEN de la BASTIDE
Amongst the hundreds of motorcycles at the 27th annual Howard County Vietnam Veterans reunion, one stands out for the message it is meant to convey.
The first thing visible on the white 2007 Harley Davidson is the prisoner of war decal on the front fender. Then the eye is drawn up to the windscreen that is etched with the emblem of the 11th Armored Cavalry unit and fighting machines.
The gas tank has a painting of three veterans with an American flag waving in the background. The specially made chrome pieces of the engine are emblazoned with the POW/MIA (missing in action) insignia. The rear saddle bags are inspired by the Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C., and the rear bumper has barbed wire running up the sides with the POW/MIA insignia in the center.
The motorcycle is owned by Ray Burton of Grafton, Ill., who served in Vietnam in 1969.
Burton said he has plans to have new front and rear wheel rims made for the motorcycle that will have M-16 rifles as the spokes and chrome-plated hand grenades will comprise the turn signals.
“This is mostly a tribute bike for the prisoners of war and missing in action people,” Burton said. “We haven’t forgotten them.”
Burton has owned the Harley Davidson since 2007 and showed the bike for the first time two months ago, taking first-place honors.
“I’ve been asked to take it to the national POW/MIA convention in Springfield next year,” he said. “It will be on display in the lobby of the hotel.”
Burton said it’s important to remember all of America’s prisoners of war and missing in action.
“Most of the reaction to the bike has been here,” he said of the veterans attending the reunion. “I have been surprised at the number of people who commented on it. It means more to the guys that are here.”
