GATHER Veterans-Warriors-Heroes Mar/April 2022 Magazine

Motorcycle Photos by Veteran Rachael Sherman - Picture It By The Bay Photography

Featured Veteran Supporter - Kim Lefler

Honoring and Empowering Women Veterans - Harley-Davidson Style

A Veteran, whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve, is someone who at one point in his or her life wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America for an amount of up to and including their life.

Every Harley-Davidson Motorcycle is special and unique to the owner, but few stand out as much as the 2005 Harley- Davidson Softail Deluxe owned by Kim Lefler. The brilliant blue bike is airbrushed by hand with striking tributes to female Veterans. “Working with female Veterans, I discovered that they aren’t recognized as Veterans,” Kim explains. “Most don’t even wear a Veteran hat like their male counterparts. If they’re at an event, it’s assumed that the male next to them is the Veteran and not them.” Disturbed by the trend, Kim decided to act. “I wanted to change that perception because women are Veterans too, and have been since the start of wars in America.” was Kim’s impressive knowledge of the subject has become a lifelong passion. Her dedication to bringing women Veterans to the forefront led her to commission a masterpiece on her motorcycle for everyone to see.

While Kim’s husband, John, obtained his motorcycle endorsement when he was 16 years old, Kim didn’t have hers until her son Evan wanted his own. They took the class together, and she’s been on a motorcycle ever since. Her bike has 87,000 original miles and was painted by a man they met through mutual friends. “He had a career in painting and now does this for friends. He did a lot of research about my theme of Women in the Military. I gave him what I wanted on the bike, and he filled in the blanks. From concept to completion, it took about a year, and painting was finished at his home over the winter months,” Kim explains.

The art on the bike thoughtfully showcases military tributes in a flowing, gorgeous array. All branches of the military are represented, including the Reserves and Guard. A purple heart ribbon weaves throughout the motorcycle, bringing it together. A challenge coin on the fender is an Army Challenge coin from Kim’s husband, covering three holes for the license plate.

The artist explained how he painted one historic and integral part on the front of the bike, the Medal of Honor. It’s dedicated to Mary Walker, the only woman recipient of the prestigious award. She graduated in 1855 as a medical doctor, an unprecedented feat. When the Civil war broke out in 1861, she tried to join the Army as a surgeon but was denied. She chose to volunteer for the Union Army. Mary eventually moved to Tennessee when her medical credentials were finally accepted, and she was appointed as a War Dept. Surgeon. She was captured in April 1864 by the South and held as a POW for about four months. President Andrew Johnson awarded her the Medal of Honor even though she was a civilian who had never been a commissioned officer in the military. Terribly, her medal was rescinded in 1917, two years before her death. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter restored her honor in her name, thanks to the strenuous efforts of her family.

History and local culture are combined on Kim’s bike. Bright art showing wings with cherries is a nod to the Traverse City community. “Since we live in Coast Guard City, I asked for a tribute to them. This depicts Sleeping Bear dunes and the Manitou Islands National Park. The Coast Guard has female pilots, crew chiefs, mechanics, rescue swimmers and all other jobs in the Coast Guard. Coast Guard Air Station became Coast Guard City TC in April 2010, and the Cherry Wings became a symbol of the Air Station in March 2013,” details Kim.

One unforgettable aspect of the bike is the depiction of five female soldiers in different branches of the military. “On one of our many rides to Rolling Thunder in Washington DC, we visited the Women Military Memorial in Arlington. There was a very large American Flag hanging on display over the information booth. Looking straight on to the flag, you saw the American flag, and from an angle, you saw the five head covers of Women in the military. It shows that women are in ALL branches of the military,” Kim says.

People’s reaction to Kim’s bike is always inspiring. “This bike has been in dozens of shows and won many awards, and I tell the inspiration of it to all who will listen,” Kim explains. “Women Veterans thank me for helping to tell their stories and making people aware of what women have done in our history since before the Civil War.” Kim reminds others that there was never a draft for women they volunteered. On the Vietnam Memorial Wall, eight women’s names, all nurses, are among the thousands lost in battle.

Kim’s own story is inspirational as well. “I’m a daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother,” she says proudly. She’s been an RN since 1982 and a Family Nurse Practitioner since 2000. She’s worked in northern Michigan for her entire career, at Munson Medical Center, the Traverse City State Hospital, and outpatient rehab programs and Community Mental Health. Kim says, “My career at the Col. Demas T. Craw Traverse City VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic provided me with a greater understanding and awareness of the Veterans in our area. I’m currently retired from the VA after a 20-year career.”

Retirement has not slowed down this rider, as Kim is an active member of the:

• Grand Traverse Area Veterans Coalition

• American Legion Post 35 Auxiliary and Am. Legion Riders Post 35

• DAV Auxiliary Ch. 38

• VFW Auxiliary Post 6333

Part of Kim’s legacy is through her family history, with many members who have been strongly involved with the military. Her father served in the late ’40s at Camp Grayling in the Army National Guard, her oldest brother Kurt was a career Air Force member, and her brother Keith was in the Army during the Cold War. Two of her uncles were active, one in the Navy during Korea and the other in the Air Force during Vietnam. Her husband John was drafted into the Army in 1966-1968 as a combat Engineer Spec 5 in Vietnam.

Kim encourages everyone to research women in the military to see all they have accomplished and continue to accomplish. “Women are trail blazers and have provided great leadership, advocacy, and skills to our military and beyond,” she advocates.

Everyone knows the iconic 1940’s art with a woman rolling up her sleeve and flexing, saying, “We can do it!” Women, you have done it and continue to do it!

Hats off to women!

Featured Veteran Supporter: Do you know a Veteran Supporter who you would like to nominate to be featured in an upcoming issue? Or would you be willing to share your story? Email pam@gatherveterans.com