Family Honors Fallen Soldier With Motorcycle

By Craig Day, The News On 6

HASKELL, OK -- A Green Country family honors their fallen son with a tribute every gear-head will love.  Cody Carver was killed last October in Iraq.  His parents are grieving, but a special project is helping with the heartache, and it honors their son and other fallen heroes, as well.

It's called the Heroes Tribute Chopper.

"On 9/11, he stood in front of the TV and it just broke his heart," said Pam Carver, soldier's mother.

The attacks on 9/11 prompted Cody Carver to join the military.  He was 19 when his parents received word he'd been killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq.

"They always told me if you got a phone call, they were wounded.  But if you got a visit, they were gone," said Pam Carver, soldier's mother.

At Cody's funeral, his parents were deeply touched by the patriot guard riders lined up outside the school gym to honor their son.

"A feeling of such pride and honor that they were there," said Pam Carver, soldier's mother.

"The help they gave me, if I could return it to another family, then that is what I wanted to do.  The comfort knowing somebody cared," said Darrel Carver, soldier's father.

One thing led to another, and then the Fallen Heroes Tribute Chopper was born.

It's an Arlen Ness custom built motorcycle, only 30 of the models are made each year, none of them alike.

The chopper features things like Cody's purple heart, bronze star, and his combat infantry badge, the Twin Towers, his picture, and those of fellow soldiers killed at his side. 

Though, Darrel Carver hadn't straddled a bike in 40 years, he now rides it at military funerals, and other events.

"Cody rides with me every mile," said Darrel Carver, soldier's father.

"We want to be there for them and let them know that they aren't alone," said Pam Carver, soldier's mother.

The customized bike cost $80,000, but to a grieving family it is worth the cost, knowing they're honoring soldiers and comforting families.

Though there is still sorrow and sadness, there is also satisfaction in honoring fallen military men and women, their families, and their son.

Mr. Carver told The News On 6 when the day comes that he gets too old to ride the special tribute motorcycle; he's going to donate it to the Infantry Museum at Fort Benning, Georgia.