STURGIS RIDER NEWS®

Sturgis Rider News - July 7, 2006

Howdy. Lots going on, of course. The phones are ringing off the hooks with last minute reservations, and the TV, radio and news folks are calling to remind me that our event is less than one month off. I guess that after Independence Day our Rally is the next national holiday. So, briefly:

VH1Classic is excited to be joining our 25th annual Sturgis Rally party. They’ll be coming out for 10 days to record concert and other stuff (like your smiling faces) for broadcast for their marathon Labor Day weekend known as "All Roads Lead To The Chip". It’ll be in high definition with the state of the art audio for your listening and viewing pleasure.

The hard copy of the Buffalo Chip Gazette®/Sturgis Rider News ® has hit the streets. The staff did the best-ever job. Copies have been shipped to the couple hundred motorcycle dealerships in the USA and Canada that had requested them. They’re free and are also available at virtually every hotel, motel, truck stop, casino, bar and convenience store within a 250 mile radius of the Chip. Pick one up for the best info, photos, concert and activities schedule and maps for how to get around traffic while getting where you want to go. Ask for one if you don’t see it. Resupply can be had at 605.892.2033.

The Healing Field continues to touch lives. I’ll paste a letter at the end of this newsletter. There’ll be 2 memorial rides from the Chip, one to the Black Hills National Cemetery and the other to the Mount Rushmore Memorial. I’d be proud to have you all join us. Stay tuned for details and registration.

David Lee Roth sent us a set list of his rock show. It’ll be every Van Halen hit he did, plus his solo rock hits, the words of at least the hooks of which we all know. What a great way to end an awesome series of performances for the Chip’s 25th.

Food! Food! Food! The Chippers will be blessed with a new Mexican food vendor extraordinaire this year, located between the Stage West Café and Dominos Pizza. Welcome to ALL JACKED UP TACOS. I’m looking forward to Authentic Steak & Chicken Tacos topped with fresh finely grated cabbage, cilantro with red or green salsa, or some really "jacked up" sauce. I’ll never need the "hangover soup", of course, but authentic "POZOLE" Mexican soup made with shredded pork, chicken, hominy, and topped with fresh cabbage, onions, cilantro & hot sauce sounds pretty tasty. Watch the website for the full menu soon to be posted.

Enough. See you soon. ‘Til then, Ride Free & Take Risks.

Woody

Sent: Tuesday, July 04, 2006 10:15 AM

I got the privilege of visiting your memorial in Lynchburg and I wanted to tell you about my experience because it was so influencial to me. This was the second most influential moment in my life....the first being walking up on the Vietnam Wall in Washington DC. When we first walked up to the field and we could see the flags lined up across this field it was a moment of both great sadness and great pride. Sadness because the number of flags really put a reality to the numbers you read in the paper and pride because all of these brave men and women gave all to keep me safe at home. It was an overwhelming feeling. Both David and I were greatly affected! I found myself crying as I walked through these flags reading the names and thinking about how greatful for these great people that stepped up and the sadness of the lack of respect that these men and women get from some Americans! I got to watch the ceremony as they placed the flags of the latest fallen heroes and it touched me so deeply that I couldn't help but cry even harder. We were there with my mom and my kids. This was a great thing because it gave me and momma an opportunity to talk to my children and try to explain to them what these flags represent and why it is so important! I am sure that my son didn't understand because he is only 2 but I think my daughter gained a little more understanding since she is 5. I know that she still didn't get all of the importance but I am sure that she got a good bit of it. Walking through those flags and thinking about all of the things that these men and women have done for me and my children was amazing! I got a wonderful opportunity to speak to one of the soldiers that was there to help set up the field and to gaurd the field. I walked up to him after watching him and his brothers and sisters in arms set up the final flags in the memorial and then walk through and find certain flags and kneel and pray as he held the poles of the flags...I wept as he did this because I knew that those were his men that didn't make it home. When I walked up to him I could see a mixture of pride and sadness in his eyes....and I can tell you that there isn't a sadder thing to see than a deep rooted sadness in a soldier's eyes! I walked up to this hero and I held my hand out to him and as he took my hand it was electric....this hero...a man that has seen the most horrendous things in the world had time to shake my hand....I took his hand and shook it and then cupped my other hand over our joined hands and looked him dead in the eyes and said, "I just wanted to say thank you for all that you have done and continue to do....." then I began to weep as I said to him..."I know that you don't hear that enough these days." He got this look of pride and surprise as he said thank you before we parted ways. That moment was a moment of complete and total surrender for my soul. I have never....and never again will.....feel that way. The emotions that whirled through me left me light headed and shocked. I believe it to be a life altering moment in my life and I will never forget it. A simple 1 minute exchange....which would normally have taken all of 5 seconds but the tears and the lump in my throat slowed me down.....held more significance to me than most anything I have ever had the privilege of experiencing. I don't know this soldier's name or rank or what division he serves in or where he came from....I don't know anything about him at all truthfully....but he has forever touched my life. I was blessed to be there and blessed to have had this encounter with my unknown soldier! It was an amazing night for me! Even as we sat on the grass in fromt of this field and watched the fireworks I could still feel the emotions of the field. I consider myself so lucky to have been able to see that memorial and I pray that one day I get the opportunity to see it again! God Bless!

From: A lady from Lynchburg, Va

In 2004, the Buffalo Chip "Chippie" statue was erected in the amphitheater.  She has been a favorite location for many photo opportunities ever since.  This year the artist responsible for her has planned a major addition that will add to "Chippie's" appeal. It involves lots of pretty rocks which will form a kind of "plaza."  In honor of her and the additions to her grandeur, we are offering these limited edition, Buffalo Chip Chippie t-shirts at ridiculously low prices. 

Take a look at these one-of-a-kind, never to be reprinted shirts: