Love Letters: Milwaukee

Bill Davidson's great-grandfather is one of the original founders of Harley-Davidson, the Milwaukee-based motorcycle company that is celebrating its 110th anniversary this year. Bill has worked for Harley-Davidson for 29 years and has lived in the area his entire life. He is currently the vice president of the Harley-Davidson Museum located a few miles from the company's Milwaukee headquarters.

Dear Milwaukee,

I want to start by saying thank you for being a longtime friend to my family and supporter of the great brand they created more than 110 years ago. I often wonder if my great grandfather, great uncles and their friend Bill Harley really understood how their motorcycle would inspire a culture and lifestyle that would bring people together from all around the world. More important is the fact that they choose Milwaukee to be the home of their innovation. I believe they did this because of all the wonderful things this city stands for.

The people and industry here in Milwaukee represent all the qualities necessary to help build a brand like Harley-Davidson - one focused on family, pride, strong work ethic and camaraderie. Milwaukeeans have an unmatched creative and fun loving spirit, and they possess the skills and passion to produce some of the best products in the world. I imagine these qualities, along with Milwaukee's hometown Midwestern values, are some of the many reasons why Arthur, Walter, my great grandfather, William, and Bill Harley's dream of two-wheeled motorized transportation started here in this amazing city.

It's exciting, and almost unbelievable, that we are now celebrating our 110th anniversary. And as Harley-Davidson embarks on new journeys, it's great to know we can count on you to come along for the ride. Thank you for all the great memories we've shared, and the exciting ones we will create in the years to come.

Bill Davidson