10/21/2026
Bike #51: Meet SGT Brian Saaristo, U.S. Army Veteran
14 Years of Service | Combat-Wounded Veteran | Motorcycle Enthusiast
For Brian Saaristo, service to his country has always been a calling, and the freedom of the open road has always been a passion.
Brian's military journey began in 1981 when he first enlisted in the United States Army. Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, he felt a renewed sense of duty to his country and answered the call to serve once again. Over the course of his military career, Brian dedicated a total of 14 years to the Army, including service with the legendary 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
On July 2, 2006, while serving in Kirkuk, Iraq, Brian's life changed forever when a roadside bomb struck, causing devastating injuries that resulted in the loss of both legs below the knees. Although his injuries brought his military career to an end, they did not diminish his determination, independence, or love for life.
A lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, Brian has always found something special in riding. For him, a motorcycle represents far more than transportation. It is freedom, peace of mind, independence, and the opportunity to leave life's worries behind, even if only for a little while.
Following his injuries, Brian refused to let the loss of his legs take away his passion. Determined to ride again, he worked to regain his motorcycle license, accomplishing this remarkable milestone on an old Harley-Davidson Fat Boy. He later rode a 2013 Harley-Davidson Street Glide without the need for specialized controls, proving that his love of riding was as strong as ever.
Eventually, Brian made a sacrifice that speaks volumes about his character. He sold his beloved Street Glide to help pay for his daughter's college education, putting his family's future ahead of something that brought him tremendous personal joy.
Though he deeply misses riding, the financial cost of purchasing another motorcycle has kept him from returning to the saddle.
For Brian, receiving another motorcycle would mean much more than owning a bike. It would restore a cherished part of his life, giving him back the sense of calm, independence, and freedom that only riding can provide.
Brian has given 14 years of his life in service to his country, sacrificed both legs in combat, and continued to put his family first. His story reflects courage, determination, sacrifice, and an enduring spirit that refuses to be defined by injury.
A motorcycle would not simply put Brian back on the road. It would reunite him with a part of himself that he has never stopped missing: the freedom to ride.
