King of Jordan Visits Gettysburg

POSTED DATE: 04/21/09

BY SCOT ANDREW PITZER

Times Staff Writer

The King of Jordan rides a Harley.

King Abdullah II of Jordan was an unexpected guest Saturday at Battlefield Harley Davidson and The Dobbin House Restaurant in Gettysburg.

He was joined by about 20 other foreign diplomats and bodyguards during his unannounced visit.

“It was cool,” says Battlefield Harley Davidson owner Jennifer LeVan. “He loves to ride his motorcycle.”

King Abdullah rode a Harley Davidson to the Gettysburg motorcycle dealership, and bought several tee-shirts.

"With all the pressure that he's under being the leader of a country in the Middle East, it's neat that he can go out and ride a Harley, relax and be a normal person,” says LeVan.

King Abdullah is meeting with President Barack Obama today to discuss peace. According to published reports, he participated in a motorcycle trip over the weekend through West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

The monarch’s visit was kept a secret, even from high ranking Gettysburg officials.“

I hope he had a good time,” says Mayor William E. Troxell, “and I hope he comes again.”

He made an unscheduled shopping stop at Battlefield Harley Davidson, at the intersection of Routes 15 and 30 near Gettysburg, after seeing a billboard advertising the business along U.S 15.

A group of Secret Service agents entered the building and took strategic positions, prompting LeVan to introduce herself.

“I just asked them if there was anything I could do to help, and they said the King of Jordan was here,” says LeVan. “I said, oh my goodness, wow.”

The King’s command of the English language, according to LeVan, is “pretty good.”

He shopped at the dealership for about 15 minutes, and left with Battlefield Harley Davidson merchandise.

That same day, the entourage of royal visitors dined at the Dobbin House tavern along Steinwehr Avenue. Employees reported that King Abdullah ate with about 20 other people. According to a spokesperson at the Dobbin House, “we knew that someone was coming, but didn’t know it would be the King.” The lunch was set up by the Embassy.

Earlier on Saturday, the King had breakfast at the Country Cafe in Harper’s Ferry.

The King is meeting with President Obama in Washington D.C. today to discuss Middle East peace talks. He is accompanied by Prince Feisal Bin Al Hussein, Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, Prime Minister Nader Dahabi, Royal Court Chief Nasser Lozi, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Suhair Al Ali.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.