Harley-Davidson Foundation Presents $1 Million Grant to Disabled American Veterans

/PRNewswire/ -- Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HOG) yesterday announced the awarding of a second $1 million grant from the Harley-Davidson Foundation, Inc. to the non-profit organization, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Harley-Davidson's relationship with the DAV dates to 2006, when the Harley-Davidson Foundation made a prior $1 million grant to the organization. The new grant announced yesterday at the DAV National Convention in Atlanta is designated for continued funding of the DAV's Mobile Service Office (MSO) program over the next four years.

"We are proud to continue our relationship with the DAV and help the organization support veterans of all generations," said Gail Lione, President, Harley-Davidson Foundation. "Veterans have always been important members of the Harley-Davidson family and partnering with the DAV is an ideal way to support them and recognize their contributions to our country."

The DAV MSO program increases veterans' accessibility to benefits by literally putting service offices on the road. Since 2007, this program sponsored by Harley-Davidson -- dubbed Harley's Heroes® -- has visited thousands of sites across the United States, providing important counseling and assistance to help tens of thousands of veterans secure the benefits to which they are entitled from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, and other government agencies.

"Harley-Davidson not only represents freedom and patriotism, the Company backs up its brand and generously supports those brave men and women whose sacrifices protect our nation," said DAV National Adjutant/CEO Arthur H. Wilson. "Through the support of the Harley-Davidson Foundation, DAV representatives have visited nearly 300 dealerships across the nation on the Harley's Heroes tour, delivering free benefits assistance to disabled veterans and their families through our Mobile Service Office program. It's hard to put into words just how much the Harley's Heroes program has meant to thousands of sick and wounded heroes."

Founded in 1920 by disabled veterans returning from World War I, the DAV has continually represented the unique interests of the men and women who bear the wounds and scars of war. Through their network of 110 National Service Offices, 10 mobile service offices, and Transition Service Officers at more than 100 military installations, the 1.2 million member DAV builds better lives for all America's disabled veterans and their families. In 2009, DAV represented nearly a quarter of a million veterans and their families in their claims for VA benefits, obtaining for them nearly $4.5 billion in new and retroactive benefits.

To learn more about Harley-Davidson's support of veterans, visit, www.harley-davidson.com, including the "Salute to Veterans" page.

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Golden Corral Restaurants Salute America’s Heroes with Free Dinner on Military Appreciation Monday

(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Monday, Nov. 16, Golden Corral will thank thousands of active-duty and former United States Military personnel for their service with a free dinner buffet and beverage, while raising donations for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). A tradition started nine years ago to celebrate our nation’s heroes, Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation Monday has served more than two million complimentary meals to military personnel and generated nearly $3.3 million in contributions for state and local DAV chapters.

“We have 45,000 employees in 485 restaurants nationwide who are very passionate about supporting our military service men and women, and look forward to supporting Military Appreciation Monday annually,” said Ted Fowler, president and chief executive officer of Golden Corral. “While the current economy is challenging, we remain committed to recognizing the military through this program and look forward to reaching 2.5 million meals served and $4 million raised this year.”

Golden Corral has enlisted Gary Sinise, celebrated actor/director, Bo Derek, pop icon and actress, and Collective Soul, the platinum award-winning band, to record public service announcements for Military Appreciation Monday. Sinise, Derek and Collective Soul are all actively involved in supporting active-duty and retired military personnel through a variety of organizations and initiatives including tours to military installations overseas.

“This is the fifth year I’ve had the pleasure to partner with Golden Corral in supporting our troops, past and present, through Military Appreciation Monday,” said Sinise. “The number of meals given away and amount of money donated in the past eight years really distinguishes Golden Corral’s commitment to the military. I’m proud and happy to help raise awareness for Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation Monday.”

Golden Corral will serve free dinner buffets with beverage from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Nov. 16 to any person who is or has served in a United States Military branch, including the National Guard and Reserves – identification is not required. State and local DAV representatives will be on-site at all Golden Corral locations coordinating the collection of donations from customers. While only current and former military qualify for the free meal, everyone is encouraged to come out and show support for our veterans. For more information on Military Appreciation Monday, please visit http://www.goldencorral.com/military/ or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/GCMilitaryAppreciation?ref=nf.

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VetsFirst Established by United Spinal Association: First and Only Organization to Offer Full Membership to All Disabled Veterans

VetsFirst Established by United Spinal Association: First and Only Organization to Offer Full Membership to All Disabled Veterans, Their Dependents and Survivors

/PRNewswire/ -- VetsFirst (www.vetsfirst.org), a new national nonprofit organization that will help all of America's disabled veterans, their spouses, dependent family members and survivors receive healthcare, compensation, rehabilitation and other benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, was announced today by United Spinal Association.

VetsFirst membership will embrace all generations of veterans, including those living with post-traumatic stress disorders, traumatic brain injuries, toxic exposures and those who are at increased risk of diseases (e.g., multiple sclerosis, ALS). It also supplies the veterans' community with guidance on education and employment. In conjunction with United Spinal Association, VetsFirst provides legal representation in VA claims and appeals.

"VetsFirst will offer the same high level of service and personal approach it has become known for, while expanding to provide for the needs of veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Paul J. Tobin, president and CEO of United Spinal Association.

VetsFirst recognizes older era veterans are aging and their health and benefits needs are changing. Advocating and assisting women veterans and their particular health concerns are high priorities of VetsFirst.

"We're serving a very large membership with our holistic approach. When their families are taken care of veterans recover faster. Extending membership to veterans' families and others involved in their lives and well-being, distinguishes VetsFirst from other veterans organizations," said Leonard Selfon, VetsFirst senior vice president.

One of the organization's most unique offerings is 'Ask VetsFirst' (http://helpdesk.vetsfirst.org/), a Web-based service that gives veterans an opportunity to get assistance with benefits-related inquiries on-line. Ask VetsFirst allows visitors to submit questions using an online submission form. A VetsFirst trained national service officer or attorney will then respond with information and resources to help resolve the inquiry.

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American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial Reaches 90% of Fundraising Goal

(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation, Inc. has secured 90 percent of funding needed to break ground on the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial (AVDLM) in Washington DC, announced the Foundation's Co-founder and Chairperson Lois Pope. With the final phase of the fundraising campaign now kicking into gear, Pope added that $5.9 million must still be raised through corporate and individual donations before the Memorial can become a reality.

Unlike other war and veteran memorials, the AVDLM will be dedicated to both living and deceased disabled veterans, including army, navy, air force, marines and coast guard. The focal point of the Memorial design will be a star-shaped reflecting pool, its surface broken by a single eternal flame. A grove of trees will stand sentry beside the pool, symbolizing the persistence of hope. Michael Vergason Landscape Architects, Ltd., of Alexandria, Virginia, designed the Memorial following a national invitational design competition.

“When Congress approved the Memorial for Washington DC and President Clinton signed it into law, one of the stipulations was that 100 percent of the money needed to design, build and maintain the Memorial had to come from private donations,” said Pope. “And the Foundation, which was created to raise these funds, must have all the funds in place before construction can begin. We're almost there.”

The Memorial will command an impressive two-acre site between Washington Avenue SW, C Street SW and Second Street SW, in Washington DC. It will be within full view of the United States Capitol, adjacent to the National Mall, and across from Independence Avenue and the United States Botanic Garden.

“It is important to remember that of the 26 million American veterans living across the world today, three million are permanently disabled from injuries suffered in our nation's defense,” said actor, director and musician Gary Sinise, the Memorial's national spokesperson. ”It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to recognize the sacrifices that our country's disabled veterans have made on behalf of us all.”

The Foundation anticipates breaking ground on the Memorial in 2010. The Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit and donations are deductible to the fullest extent of the law. To make a donation, or for more information, visit www.avdlm.org.

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Disabled Vets on the Move: Globetrotter Marathon Program Launched

/PRNewswire/ -- The Globetrotter Marathon Program has been established to provide a unique experience for disabled war vets to travel and participate in internationally recognized marathons around the world. Participants are all single or double amputees who smartly navigate the 26.2 mile courses in hand crank wheel chairs.

The Program was recently launched by Marine veteran Charles Klotsche and so far teams of vets and their spouses have participated in marathons in Berlin, Moscow and Krakow Poland. The Program flies under the banner "Disabled Vets on the Move" and these men and women do just that as they burst out from the starting line often in tandem with the elite marathon runners.

"Our Program offers these exceptional men and women a special opportunity as they begin their difficult path of re-integration into their local communities," said Klotsche. He went on to note that these global competitions "help boost their self-esteem and competitive spirit, broaden their global horizons, and allow them to serve as roving good will ambassadors on behalf of the country they so ably served and for which they made life-changing sacrifices in the name of freedom."

For 2009, the Program is planning on sending Vets and their spouses to the Paris and Montreal Marathons. Klotsche also said they are considering a unique experience in the Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset, billed as the world's most beautiful 100 Km Marathon, located around Hovsgol Lake on the northern border of Mongolia.

Program details can be found on the website at www.globetrottermarathon.org and cash contributions to help defray Program travel and related costs can be made on the website. Those interested in donating frequent flier miles that the Program can use to transport the vets and their spouses to and from the marathons should send an email indicating the airline and number of miles to info@globetrottermarathon.org. "Make a difference--Make a donation".

The Globetrotter Marathon Program is an extension of the domestic marathon program known as the Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans, started by the New York Achilles Track Club in 2004.

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