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 2009 Shasta Salute
to America
Motorcycle Rally
Was One
Helluva Good Time
...we know, we were there!
From the escort of the American Veterans Traveling Tribute wall to the fairgrounds display area on Thursday to the Bunch-A-Thunder Parade on Sunday morning and all the events between and after, these are all the things that made this event a resounding success in our book. Who could be unmoved at the sight of the AVTT wall displayed in all its glory in the crisp sunshine, fresh air and emerald grass of the fairgrounds? Not many people are aware that this tribute covers all the major wars, not just the Vietnam War, all the way up to April of this year. A tremendous undertaking and escorted by volunteer veterans who travel ten months out of the year to bring the wall to shows around the U.S..
Our arrival Friday afternoon got us to the Shasta Salute to America Motorcycle Rally in time to catch the lull between the arm wrestling and the opening set of the Charlie Brechtel Band. A perfect time to say “hello” to Jeff “EZJ” Kraus and Debbie “Wings2Fly” Johnson, our gracious hosts and the show’s promoters. These two juggle an immense number of details and did it well as they pulled off an event that everyone greatly enjoyed.
We wandered around the fairgrounds to check out how things were layed out, what vendors were there (a fine crowd), where the bike builders were, and - not to be forgotten - where the food vendors were located!! Stopped to catch up to one of our favorite builders, Mark Daley of Thunderstruck, and to see what cool bikes he had turned out this year. No disappointments there...he had his Captain America bike as well as the Billy bike out front plus more of his outrageous designs. Also present were cool bikes from Wild Rose Boss Hoss, Haze Custom Choppers, and Perfect Past Custom.
Around that time we met up with one of the best photographers we’ve run across, Henry Aparicio, who was taking a break from his chronicling of the events at the Thunderstruck display. Henry’s innate talent and natural ability to capture people always results in images of the utmost clarity - perfect for recording such a fun event.
With a little time to spare prior to the Pat Travers concert, we checked out the All In FMX guys practicing (holy cow we got to see them flip a bike midair!) and grabbed a burger at Steve & Terry’s Burger and added on an order of their garlic fries. Sigggh, definitely a fond food memory. Now we were set to take in the legendary tunes pumped out by Pat Travers in the Wings2Fly Saloon.
Pat Travers started out strong and the crowd was rocking in no time at all. Mother Nature must’ve been envious as after his third song, a local lightning strike took the power out for three towns around. The Tulelake Chief of Police graciously offered to round up generators to get the show rolling again, but it was to no avail...simply not enough time remained in the evening.
Saturday dawned clear and bright with no sign of the previous night’s angry weather other than a lone power crew replacing the last of three blown transformers. We got down to some serious coverage of the vendors, people, bike games, corset contest and the All In FMX demonstration. Throughout all this, we could hear the great bands playing in the Saloon. The Craig Allen Blues Band in the afternoon and National Dust in the early evening, lots of toe-tapping and spontaneous groovin’ going on in the crowds. We were sorry to have to call it a night!
On Sunday, the ceremony at the Wall was one of the most heartwarming we’ve been present at. By the time EZJ, Carolyn Blashek of Operation Gratitude and several other speakers were done, there was not a dry eye in the house. While we all went to the Wall to touch the name of one who gave all, the stirring notes of a bagpipe pierced the air reminding us all of what this event and the Fourth of July are all about. Freedom.
We here at BikerHotline hope you enjoy the pictures of this event that promises to grow immensely in the years to come.
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