Bronze Star Recipient Surprised With Gift of New Harley-Davidson Motorcycle at Sturgis

At the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on “Military Appreciation Day,” Bronze Star recipient, Charles Swank, was honored with a new Harley-Davidson powered by a Milwaukee-Eight Engine.

The surprise moment was part of MISSION: “THANK YOU” – a cross-country tour led by Scootin’ America’s Adam Sandoval to celebrate the men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting our freedom.

Enlisting in the Army on September 11, 2001, Charles was deployed to Iraq in 2003 as an infantryman with the 82nd Airborne Division and Afghanistan in 2005. He earned a Bronze Star for helping one of his wounded comrades during a firefight. A father of five, his service ended in 2006, but he still continues to serve his community as a firefighter in Butler, Ohio.

Every American can nominate a military member – past or present – who has dedicated their life to protecting our freedom by submitting their story of sacrifice, strength and courage of service at MissionThankYou.com.

A panel consisting of Adam Sandoval, Wounded Warrior Project representatives and Harley-Davidson leadership will select which seven other deserving military members will be honored with new motorcycles.

Links:

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

MissionThankYou.com

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame recently named Marilyn Stemp and Steve Piehl to its board of directors.

Stemp is a pioneering figure in the motorcycle industry, founding IronWorks Magazine with her late husband, Dennis, and becoming the first female editor of a nationally circulated, mainstream motorcycle magazine. She also revived their trade magazine, Iron Trader News; edits the monthly Kiwi Indian News; contributes to several powersports media outlets; and is the founding editor of Sturgis Rider Daily. Stemp is a noted editor and writer of several motorcycle-focused books. Her consistent support for charitable efforts in the industry include the annual Biker Belles Celebration, Las Vegas BikeFest and as campaign chair for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s development plan in 2014. She co-founded the Flying Piston charity events taking place in Daytona and Sturgis each year and is a National Ambassador for All Kids Bike. Stemp was inducted into both the Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Sturgis Museum's Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2022 she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Powersports by DealerNews.