I feel compelled to write this as a wife of a Viet Nam Vet who I have watched battle throat cancer for 7 years and know in my heart was not from smoking. I have felt sorry for us and then I come across this remarkable story about Matt and Annette Slaydon and feel so ashamed.

Slaydon was an explosive ordinance disposal tech from Luke Air Force Base, AZ and lost his eyesight and an arm from a terrorist’s IED while deployed to northern Iraq. You may go to www.torch.aetc.af.mil type The Price of Freedom in the search box and read Matt’s complete story.

One would expect Slaydon to feel sorry for himself over the multiple mutilations he has experienced, but instead finds himself somewhat fortunate. It seems the bomb which caused his injuries partially misfired and actually should have left nothing but a “pink mist.’’

Tom Curly at Curly’s Custom is sponsoring a Poker Run May 2, 2009 for Tech Sgt. Matt Slaydon and family. Please go to Message Board and Motorcycle Events on this site for all the details.

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Had to share this with all the Harley riders out there and any other bikers, dreamers who truly love the open road. This is what it's all about.

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Just wanted to say thank you to Buddy Stubbs Arizona Harley-Davidson for the 5th Annual Bike Week Bash. The blow out was Saturday March 28th, 2009. FriendlyBikers.com was there and it was a fantastic party! Thanks again Buddy!

Biker tattoos were something that was stereotyped by many people over the years, but for a true biker the tattoo became a symbol. Old school tattoos are back in style, but are being made more colorful than back in the old days. Back when tattooing began, there really were only two shades of color: black and blue.

Typical tattoos for bikers are skulls, hearts, and warriors. Usually with the heart tattoo the biker has his girlfriend's name put in a flowing ribbon that goes through the heart. Bikers also will have their bike's logo and the year they got their first motorcycle. One famous old school biker tattoo is that of the Hula girl, made famous by legendary tattoo artist Jerry Collins. Collins was actually a sailor who went around the globe promoting the tattoo, so to any biker Sailor Jerry is a legend. Tattoo artists can now design just about anything people want and place them on just about any part of the body. Male bikers or just men in general are not the only people being tattooed; many women are displaying personal symbols as well. For women the most popular seem to be butterflies, hearts, sharks, and dolphins. Biker women oftentimes will have the name of a motorcycle gang that a previous man in their life was involved in, such as their father.

The symbol a biker chooses to have tattooed is usually a very personal and meaningful choice, such as their mother’s name and birth date. Tattoos are emerging all the time thanks to the people who wear them with pride, the people true to their biker lifestyle.

It is incredible how many people are becoming Harley Davidson riders. Celebrities and agents are engrossed in this fun hobby which seems to be sweeping the globe. Some celebrity riders, to name a few, are Ann Margret, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Elizabeth Taylor. The accessories that celebrities buy are as fun as riding the Harley.

At the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum located in Pickerington, Ohio, many celebrities who had a genuine passion for motorcycling showed up to share their stories for passers-by at the Museum. At this museum is the Harley Davidson ridden by Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible III, along with other famous celebrity names alongside their motorcycles.

Tonight Show host Jay Leno is a well-known Harley enthusiast. He owns dozens of bikes, and he even enjoys getting his hands dirty and working on them if need be. Leno also participates in many celebrity rides that raise money for charity.

Elvis Presley was a great Harley lover. His photographs on his Harley are world famous with his fans. On celebrity websites you will find many other celebrity Harley riders, such as the teen heartthrob Jesse Metcalfe. Because of his fame, he has made the whole idea of riding a Harley very sexy.

There are many photos of celebrity Harley riders that have faces that are not always recognizable. For many years celebrities have been captured by the excitement of riding a Harley, and for this reason fans are always wanting to know more.