"I can say that I have a good bond with my customers, but there are some you get to know at a different level, Sgt. Clark was one of those guys. I looked forward to meeting him in person as all our correspondence had only been over the phone. Our meeting was to be the last couple of days of the build so Mike would have an opportunity to experience the final assembly," said Scott. Complete with all its inherent drama, everything was pushed back a couple days, but on Sgt. Clark's last day in Florida they finally got to ride the bike all over before he had to fly back to his family in Colorado and then off to Iraq for his first tour of duty.
Sgt. Clark left the bike with Scott while he was deployed, so Scott could take it to events all around the country to showcase his skill. During the following months Scott would email Sgt. Clark and tell him about all the bike events and Sgt. Clark was excited about all the attention his machine was receiving at the shows. All soldiers have things that keep them going while they are deployed, for some it's their sweetheart waiting at home, others it's that muscle car they are restoring. Aside from his wife and son, whom he missed and loved dearly, Michael had his new GT custom Victory.
Scott's last update to Sgt. Clark was on Friday, October 3, while he was displaying the bike at Victory Motorcycle's 10th Anniversary celebration. Scott sent an email to Sgt. Clark to let him know his bike was a hit at the party. Sgt. Clark replied to Scott's email on Sunday happy to know his bike appealed to so many people. Then early Tuesday morning Sgt. Clark was killed in a firefight. Scott received the call from Michael's wife later that same morning. "I received a devastating call from his wife on Tuesday October 7, telling me Sgt. Michael K. Clark had been killed in action early that morning. Her tears and anguish will haunt me for a very long time...it was the deepest hurt I have ever heard. Mike's death has forever changed the way I look at war," said Scott.
Sgt. Clark was from Sacramento, California, and came from a military family. His father is a pilot and flies charter flights that bring back fallen soldiers to the states. He flew his son back to Sacramento, and Governor Schwarzenegger flew the flag at half-mast in honor of Sgt. Clark. Sgt. Clark had received several medals during his service including the Army Commendation Medal-2, Army Good Conduct Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal w/Campaign Star-2, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon-2, and Combat Action Badge.
Michael's wife entrusted Scott to sell the bike and after much thought Scott set up a raffle with the proceeds going to Michael's son, Lucas. They are selling 1,000 tickets at $100 a piece. The drawing is being held August 15, and you can visitwww.lucasclarkeducationfund.comfor more details.