Press Release:
Harley-Davidson Auctions a Bike Signed by the Stars of Captain America: The First Avenger to Support Disabled Vets
MILWAUKEE, July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Harley-Davidson® and Marvel Studios announced they will auction a 2011 Harley-Davidson V-Rod® Muscle VRSCF that was signed by the stars of Captain America: The First Avenger, to support Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Some of the stars who autographed the motorcycle during the film’s world premiere in Los Angeles include Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Neal McDonough, director Joe Johnston, as well as comic icon Stan Lee.
Harley-Davidson collaborated with Marvel Studios to provide several motorcycles for Captain America: The First Avenger, which traces Captain America’s origins as a World War II era Super Hero who rode a military motorcycle as a means of transportation. During World War II, Harley-Davidson produced and dispatched approximately 90,000 motorcycles overseas to support the war effort.
The auction will take place at www.ebay.com/herobike and bids will be accepted from July 28, 2011 through August 4, 2011. All of the proceeds of auction will benefit Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Service Trust to fund the Harley’s Heroes(TM) program. DAV is a non-profit organization that represents the nation’s disabled veterans. The organization provides assistance to veterans in a number of ways including helping veterans obtain earned benefits, transportation to and from hospitals and educating the public about disabled veterans’ issues.
Harley-Davidson is a major supporter of the DAV, with a relationship that dates back to 2006 when The Harley-Davidson Foundation gave a $1 million grant to the organization – The Foundation gave a second $1 million grant in 2010. The grants helped fund the creation of the Harley’s Heroes(TM) program, which brings benefits, education and counseling to veterans in communities all across the United States through the DAV Mobile Service Offices. Since 2007, Harley’s Heroes has visited thousands of sites across the United States to help tens of thousands of veterans and their families secure the benefits to which they are entitled from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense and other government agencies.
“Captain America and Harley-Davidson are both great symbols of freedom, but we can never forget the brave men and women who have made extraordinary sacrifices to protect our way of life,” said Dino Bernacchi, Harley-Davidson’s director of Marketing Communications. “We’re excited about the potential of this unique auction to strengthen our relationship with the Disabled American Veterans and the work they do.”
In addition to the auction, Captain America fans can visit a participating Harley-Davidson dealer to secure an exclusive poster featuring Captain America on his 1942 Harley-Davidson “Liberator,” while supplies last. Harley-Davidson’s promotional Web site, www.h-d.com/captainamerica, also features never-before-seen footage produced in collaboration with Marvel Studios.
