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.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110726/CG41831)

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™ 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™ 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.

About Captain America: The First Avenger:

"Captain America: The First Avenger," directed by Joe Johnston, from a screenplay by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely, focuses on the early days of the Marvel Universe when Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) volunteers to participate in an experimental program that turns him into the Super Soldier known as Captain America.  As Captain America, Rogers joins forces with Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) to fight the evil HYDRA organization, led by the villainous Red Skull (Hugo Weaving). One of a continuing slate of films being produced by Marvel Studios based on the Marvel characters, "Captain America: The First Avenger" joins Thor which was released on May 6, 2011 and Marvel's The Avengers which is coming to theaters on May 4, 2012. "Captain America: The First Avenger" was distributed by Paramount Pictures on July 22, 2011.

About Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years.  Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing.  For more information visit www.marvel.com. 

About Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight custom, cruiser and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts, accessories, riding gear and apparel, and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson's website at www.harley-davidson.com.

About Disabled American Veterans

DAV is a non-profit organization founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932 that represents the nation's disabled veterans. It is dedicated to a single purpose: building better lives for our nation's disabled veterans and their families. DAV assistance is provided in various ways; helping veterans obtain earned benefits, transportation to/from hospitals, relief from disasters, and educating the public about disabled veterans' issues.  For more information, visit www.dav.org.

SOURCE Harley-Davidson