The Veterans Airlift Command has added another machine to its arsenal to serve wounded veterans and their families.

The VAC, which provides free air transportation for medical care and other compassionate purposes through a national network of volunteer aircraft owners and pilots, added a custom-made motorcycle, or chopper, to its fleet shortly after debuting the bike during its 2011 Hero Mission fund-raising event Friday night at the Fair Barn in Pinehurst.

“I want this bike,” said Walt Fricke, founder of the VAC. “And let me tell you why. Because this bike is worth more than whatever we will get for it at this auction.”

Built by Orange County Choppers and designed by Orange County Choppers founder Paul Teutul Sr. with the help of veterans, the chopper was auctioned off for $340,000 and then donated back to the VAC.

“We do a lot of bikes,” Teutul told the crowd of about 250 gathered at the event. “There are certain bikes you want to take home with you, and this is one of those bikes.”

Instead of Teutul taking the bike home with him to New York, it will go to the VAC, which will use it at a promotional tool for the organization as well as a healing and inspirational instrument for wounded warriors and their families.

The chopper, which took more than three weeks to build, is a tribute to veterans and features a giant replica Purple Heart on its side. It has medallions representing all five branches of the military, wheels that resemble jet turbines, winglike handlebars and a giant eagle head for a headlight.

The Purple Heart is a military decoration awarded in the name of the president to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917, with the U.S. military.

The chopper will be featured on a February episode of “American Chopper,” which airs at 9 p.m. Mondays on Discovery Channel. The VAC bike is the result of a collaborative effort between Window World Inc. and its charitable foundation, Windows World Cares, along with Veterans Airlift Command (VAC) and OCC.

Before Teutul unveiled the bike by riding it up onto the stage to the music of John Cougar Mellencamp’s “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.,” four individuals spoke about the importance of the VAC.

“It allows our family to fly with a little dignity,” said Eva Lyles, whose husband, Capt. Will Lyles, lost his legs when he stepped on a IED, or improvised exploding device, during his third tour in Afghanistan.

Eva Lyles said traveling on commercial airlines can be difficult when her husband is searched by TSA officials.

“The last thing my husband is is a threat to this country,” she said. This organization has allowed us to fly with our heads held high.”

Capt Lyles added, “‘Thank you’ doesn’t say enough, in my book.”

Staff Sgt. Bobby Henline and Sgt. First Class John Wayne Walding echoed Capt. Lyles’ comments.

Henline, who was severely injured in an IED attack, said the VAC helped re-establish normalcy in his life.

“Part of healing is getting back to normalcy,” he said. “When something like this happens, you feel like you lost a part of yourself, and the VAC is huge part of that healing.”

Walding, who lost a leg two hours into a seven-hour fire fight but kept fighting, said the VAC shows soliders they are appreciated.

“It gives you that bear hug — that thank-you that totally validates that sacrifice,” Walding said. “Don’t underestimate the magnitude of thosetwo little words.”

VAC volunteer pilot Andre P. Bohy said helping the wounded service personnel and their families is something that makes him feel good.

“As a pilot, when you get up there, and you are cruising along and it gets quiet and you can talk to these folks and hear their stories, and then it hits home. So many people have no idea the sacrifice these soldiers have made.”

The VAC’s priority is on the veterans of Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan).

Earlier in the day, the VAC held a golf outing for sponsors, volunteers and veterans at The Dormie Club. During that outing there was a flyover by the Trojan Horsemen.

The VAC Veterans Day fundraiser also featured a VIP reception Thursday at the Campbell House.

Tom Embrey is a senior writer with The Pilot. Contact him at tembrey@thepilot.com.