Harley-Davidson Racers Visiting Troops In Middle East
A large number of military personnel are also motorcyclists, with many dreaming of the day they can hop back on their steeds after deployment. Harley-Davidson understands this, and in cooperation with Army Special Forces Association Chapter 64, Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines riders Eddie Krawiec and Andrew Hines are joining Summit Racing Equipment and Armed Forces Entertainment November 18-22 for Operation Appreciation, an annual visit to American troops stationed overseas.
After three years of visiting American military personnel based in Europe, Operation Appreciation will travel to the Middle East to visit troops in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. This year’s trip is the second for NHRA drag racers Krawiec and Hines.
“For me, this trip is a way to repay the troops a little bit by saying ‘Thank you,’ and letting them know that I appreciate what they do,” said Krawiec, the 2012 Pro Stock Motorcycle Champion. “It’s something small, but it’s neat to be able to do that for them and put a smile on their faces.”
“It’s an honor to be included in Summit Racing’s Operation Appreciation,” said three-time PSM Champion Hines. “I’m looking forward to meeting with some of our American heroes and spending time with them. I know many of our troops are also supporters of NHRA, and it’s pretty special to be able to bring them a little excitement while they’re so far from home.”
“Our troops in this part of the world work right next door to areas of conflict like Syria and Afghanistan, and in an environment that most of them have not experienced before,” said Jim Greenleaf, Summit Racing Motorsports and Events Manager. “We hope bringing them a little slice of home will let these people know that they are appreciated.”
Follow Hines and Krawiec during Operation Appreciation on Twitter at @AndrewHinesPSM and @EddieKrawiec.
Troy's been riding motorcycles and writing about them since 2006, getting his start at Rider Magazine. From there, he moved to Sport Rider Magazine before finally landing at Motorcycle.com in 2011. A lifelong gearhead who didn't fully immerse himself in motorcycles until his teenage years, Troy's interests have always been in technology, performance, and going fast. Naturally, racing was the perfect avenue to combine all three. Troy has been racing nearly as long as he's been riding and has competed at the AMA national level. He's also won multiple club races throughout the country, culminating in a Utah Sport Bike Association championship in 2011. He has been invited as a guest instructor for the Yamaha Champions Riding School, and when he's not out riding, he's either wrenching on bikes or watching MotoGP.
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