Freedom Jacket: A symbol of the Harley-Davidson spirit
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- From Europe to Asia, South America to Milwaukee, the Freedom Jacket is a symbol of the Harley-Davidson spirit. And its trans-continental journey started with one word, freedom.
The Freedom Jacket is leather that weathered the world. It came from humble beginnings at a kick-off ride in Tibet.
"This was just a blank black leather jacket, I wore it on our kick off ride to start the 110th anniversary," said Mark-Hans Richer, Chief Marketing Officer for Harley-Davidson. "The first person to modify the jacket was a Chinese man who I asked what H-D meant to him, and he painted these two symbols, the Chinese symbol for freedom on my jacket."
That's when the jacket really took off. Everywhere it went, locals added their own patches, designs and character. The famous jacket has even been marked by famous hands.
"Even the pope. You may have seen that we showed the pope at the Vatican and he touched it right there so if you want a little pope DNA all you gotta do is rub it right there," said Richer.
A simple black leather jacket -- a common sight among Harley riders -- is now a symbol for all Harley riders.
"If you look at the back it reads E Pluribus Unum, which you know is an American term. But really, of course, it is Latin and crosses ages and cultures. And it's the spirit of 'out of many, one.' And that's really what this jacket reflects in its very essence," said Richer.
Milwaukee native 1st Sergeant Timothy La Sage came roaring in to the Harley-Davidson Museum on Thursday, August 29th riding a new 2014 Street Glide, proudly wearing the Freedom Jacket. La Sage, a Marine for the past 20 years, has been deployed all over the world.
Richer had a big surprise up his sleeve for Sgt. La Sage -- he couldn't give away the Freedom Jacket so -- "Give him the Street Glide!"
As a thank you for his service, Sgt. La Sage was given the very bike he rode in on.
"As a military member, all I can say is 'thank you,'" said Sgt. La Sage.
The Freedom Jacket's year-long journey ends at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee -- but not before it's worn by Kid Rock during his performance at the 110th Anniversary Celebration.