504 Days or until the Mission is Complete

That was the plan when Cody Carver out of Haskell, Oklahoma joined the U. S. Army. Like a lot of other young men and women, Cody was influenced by the attack on the Twin Towers and stated even then at the age of 13 that as soon as he could he was going to join the military. Cody also wanted to be a police officer, specializing in Forensics, it was not to be.

Cody joined the U. S. Army and went off for training at Fort Benning, GA and came on home on leave on September 7^th, 2007. While on leave Cody visited friends and family and purchased a life insurance policy leaving specific instructions how the money was to be spent should he not come back as he had received orders to deploy to Iraq. 

Cody's mother Pam, saw her son leaving back to Fort Benning, GA before being shipped to Iraq with the 3^rd Brigade Combat Team, 3^rd Infantry Division in Baghdad, but saw more than Cody leaving as Mrs. Carver somehow had the feeling that it was going to be the last time she was ever going see her son alive. Call this a mother's intuition but on October 29^th Mrs. Carver had a dream and one that she does not talk about much, but soon thereafter she received a visit from the military bearing those few words that no parent ever wants to hear Mrs. Carver, we regret to inform you. Cody was killed just 28 days after arriving in Salman Pak, Iraq due to enemy fire and an improvised explosive device. Along with PFC Cody M. Carver, SGT Daniel L. McCall, and SPC Rush M. Jenkins were also killed in action.

Per his instructions, Cody left his friends 10,000 dollars, some money to his uncles, younger brother, and parents. As expected, the family, friends and the entire town of Haskell took Cody's death hard. There were over 285 bikes at Cody's funeral including members of the Patriot Guard Riders and members of the Rolling Thunder.

Particularly hit hard was Cody's father, Darrell, who also served our country honorably from 1969-73 with the 101^st Airborne including serving in Vietnam. Darrell used to run in the old days so the question was how to honor their late son as well as the other members of Cody's friends that were killed that day. Since Darrell rode and Cody's mother, Pam, still rides her 2007 Shadow Hawk the answer was easy, build a bike in tribute of their son and his friends. Both Darrell and Pam were further inspired by the hundreds of bikes at Cody's funeral that paid tribute to their son.

So the decision was made to buy a bike and transform it into a rolling tribute that was called, The Fallen Heroes Tribute Chopper, and folks, this is one beautiful motorcycle.

The bike is a 2006 Arlen Ness Pro Street Highliner that was purchased in Las Vegas, Nev. The bike was then shipped to Tulsa, Oklahoma where painter Cole Stevens stripped the bike down and putting it mildly painted a masterpiece. Folks, if you look closely at this bike you will be very impressed and will probably get all choked up. 
                                                                      
                We are not going into how much this or that cost but overall the Carvers have spent right at $100,000 on the bike and Darrell rides it in parades with pride and honor. When asked why, the Carvers responded: It means something to others, to help, as Cody would, to help other families. This bike does more than help other families, it gives everyone hope and a feeling of appreciation that no matter what happens that all men and women who served their country are honored and appreciated.

Cody was born on June 23, 1988 and was killed in action on October 30, 2007. Cody left behind a beautiful girlfriend, Ms. Ashley Pearce, a little brother by the name of Jake, an older brother Lee, lots of friends, and his parents, Darrell and Pam Carver. PFC Carter received a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, and the Good Conduct Medal, which are also displayed on the bike.

      If you ever get a chance to see this bike you should do so. To see a great looking bike is one thing, but seeing a bike that has patriotism written all over it well it makes you feel humble. Because the greatest price that any person can give for his country is their life, just like Cody and his friends did on that fateful day on October 30^th, 2007.

May God Bless Cody's parents, Mr. Darrell and Mrs. Pam Carver for raising such a fine young man who didn't have to die so young. PFC Cody M. Carver was just 19 years old. May God also Bless the parents, families, and friends of SGT Daniel L. McCall, and SPC Rush M. Jenkins.

Story written by Texas Iron Magazine