GRESHAM, Ore. — Early last Thursday morning, Navy veteran Edwin Anderson walked outside his Gresham apartment to find his motorcycle — a 2011 Honda Shadow Aero — missing.
"I came out with my flags for the mission and my parking space was empty," Anderson said. "My neighbor said that she went out for a cigarette at 3 o'clock, it was there. But when she left for work at 5:30 a.m., it was gone. I think [the thief] picked it because of the way it looked."
The bike was uniquely wrapped with an abstract stars and stripes design. It was stolen from the Lumina Apartments in the 2700 block of Powell Boulevard. Gresham police confirm the motorcycle was stolen from this location, sometime overnight July 6 into July 7.
Anderson said it's more than just a motorcycle — it's part of the way he continues to honor and serve with the Patriot Guard Riders. The mission of the group is to honor service members and veterans.
"It seems simple. A bunch of guys come out, stand with flags, and then we leave. But for the family, it really means something special. Whether there's two of us... or if there's 50 of us," he said.
Anderson reported the theft to Gresham police and to his insurance company. Gresham police do not have any suspect information. Anderson hopes that the motorcycle will be returned, but he has his doubts.
Bike or no bike, his personal mission of service continues. He shared a message for whoever took the bike.
"Take care of it," Anderson said, holding back tears. "Don't strip it. Ride it."
Since KGW first reported on Anderson's story, there has been good news — he got his bike back.
Less than a week after his Honda Shadow Aero was stolen from outside his Gresham apartment, a group called PDX Stolen Cars helped track down the bike. Anderson said he picked up motorcycle on Northeast 44th off of Sandy Boulevard.
Anderson's unique star-and-stripes wrap was removed from the bike, but the license plate was still in place, allowing the people working to find to verify that it was his.