Harley-Davidson Teams up With Biggest Names in Action Sports to Thank U.S. Troops During Bikes Over Baghdad 3 Tour

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Nov 23, 2010, 03:39 ET

MILWAUKEE, Nov. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Holiday cheer will come early for some of the 50,000 U.S. and Coalition Armed Forces serving in the Middle East. This November and December, Harley-Davidson Motor Company is teaming up with Bikes Over Baghdad for seven unforgettable and adrenaline-packed action sports performances at military bases throughout Iraq and Kuwait, all with one mission in mind: to thank our troops.

"Harley-Davidson shares a deep sense of freedom and patriotism with the U.S. Armed Forces, and we are grateful for their many sacrifices, dedication and hard work," said Mike McCann, director of core customer marketing at Harley-Davidson. "We have a long-standing relationship with the U.S. Military, and teaming up with Bikes Over Baghdad is a great way to show our appreciation. We are honored and excited to be part of this tour."

Bikes Over Baghdad (BOB) is a BMX exhibition made up of an elite handful of the world's best action sports athletes, announcers and ramp builders. The upcoming tour is the third of its kind, following two popular visits in 2009. McCann will be joining the team November 28 through December 9 as they travel to Iraq and Kuwait to perform for an estimated 20,000 U.S. troops, most of whom have little or no access to entertainment of any kind.

For the athletes who make up the tour – Chad Kagy, Brian Kachinsky, Mike Escamilla, Anthony Napolitan, Drew Bezanson, Zack Yankush, Mykel Larrin, Ron Kimler and Nate Wessel – BOB3 means putting their lives at risk to provide a few hours of escape, excitement, and camaraderie with those who have given everything to protect America's freedom.

"Our mission in Iraq is simple. We want to show the troops that we care, that America hasn't forgotten about them," said Brian Kachinsky, an X Games bronze medalist who participated in the first two BOB tours and calls the experience "exhilarating, intense and life-changing." He'll never forget performing in 120-degree heat and shaking hands with soldiers who thanked him for being there. "It's crazy when the troops thank us for performing," said Kachinsky. "We're the ones who should be thanking them. They're the real heroes, not us."

Kachinsky's highlights of past BOB tours include flying in a Blackhawk helicopter, sleeping in Saddam Hussein's palace, detonating C4 explosives, and experiencing what daily life is like for the troops in Iraq. But it was time simply spent hanging out with the troops, talking about their families, homes, and war zone experiences that really made an impact on BOB team members. They were told time and again by service men and women that, for just a few hours, they were able to forget they were in Iraq.

"The troops love the adrenaline and excitement of the Bikes Over Baghdad shows," said McCann. "It's an incredible feeling for us to get to participate in something that celebrates and shares the spirit of youthful adventure for which Harley-Davidson has long been known."

McCann will give out free Harley-Davidson MotorClothes and other merchandise and gifts at each performance. One service member will also win a brand new 2011 Harley-Davidson XR1200X motorcycle.

Harley-Davidson and the Military

Harley-Davidson's commitment to the U.S. military dates back almost 100 years. After use in the Mexican Expedition, the U.S. military commissioned nearly one-third of all Harley-Davidson motorcycles produced in 1917 to support efforts during World War I, and nearly half of the Motor Company's production in 1918. At war's end, it's estimated that the Army used as many as 20,000 motorcycles. During World War II, the Motor Company provided nearly 90,000 WLA models for military use. In 1943, Harley-Davidson received the first of its four coveted Army-Navy "E" Awards for excellence in wartime production.

Today Harley-Davidson continues to support U.S. military personnel through programs like the Harley's Heroes® Tour. In 2007, the Harley-Davidson Foundation made its first $1 million grant to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) to support the Mobile Service Office program, which has become known as the Harley's Heroes Tour. This year, the Foundation made a second $1 million grant, continuing its support of the program, which provides counseling and assistance to help veterans and their families secure the benefits they earned through their service.

About Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles and a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson's Web site at www.harley-davidson.com.

SOURCE Harley-Davidson Motor Company