Ft. Bragg’s 82nd Airborne soldiers have had a rough go the last couple of months; their deployment to Afghanistan has been fraught with losses and injuries.
It might be hard to find many bright spots Over There.
But brightening a soldier’s day is just what Operation Gratitude had in mind when they partnered with Lee Rawcliffe, owner of Sands Resorts in Myrtle Beach and Don Allen, CEO of American Veterans Traveling Tribute.
Rawcliffe and Sands donated two Harley Davidson Sportsters and in conjunction with Operation Gratitude, they hatched a plan.
They would toss keys to the new Harley Sportsters into random outbound boxes for soldiers deployed to the war zones.
Operation Gratitude, a non-profit organization that has sent more than a half a million packages to deployed service members, was in charge of packing the boxes for shipment.
SSG Michael Fullerton and Sgt. William Herne, both from Ft. Bragg, were the surprised and lucky soldiers who opened the boxes in Afghanistan and instantly had something additional to look forward to when they got home.
While Sgt. Herne won’t be home from Afghanistan for a few more months, SSG Michael Fullerton (a native of Quincy, Mass.) will overcome his initial shock and take ownership his brand new Harley in a Presentation Ceremony today, July 23, at the Hall of Heroes in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Examiner’s Note: I was unable to reach either Lee Rawcliffe or Don Allen to determine if the license and taxes were prepaid on these motorcycles for the two soldiers. Operation Gratitude did not have a phone number listed on their site for inquiries.
It would be a fantastic idea for automotive and motorcycle dealerships around the U.S. to pair up with Operation Gratitude, Wounded Warriors or similar organizations and give a soldier even one more reason to celebrate his or her homecoming! Yep! Female service members like motorcycles, too!
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Comments
That's a great ray of sunshine! Hope the word spreads. Thank you Rawcliffe and Allen! Welcome home SSG Fullerton...enjoy the ride.
You bet we pay the taxes registration etc. As each receive their bike we let them register where they want and we reimburse all their costs. Its a gift not something to cost them money. Thanks for asking.
Don Allen CEO AVTT Inc www.avtt.org
Thank you for the article but clarification: my Son's name is Ssgt. William Fullerton, yes he is a native of Quincy, MA but is home is Waxahachie, Texas, he enlisted in Texas and has done 5 tours to war. So the honor of being one of two soldiers selected to receive the Harley was a big surprise and another reason for our family to thank all those involved. I am over flowing in my pride cup in regards to my Hero Son. Congrats William!
Deb! My thanks to your son for his service to this country. When you posted the correction his name I see you wrote Ssgt. Typically I see that for Marines. I am wrting am update to the story tonight. Army or Marines???
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