[motorcycle.com] - Harley-Davidson Offers Free Riding Academy To All U.S. Military

[Ninjette Newsbot]

Perhaps no one deserves to enjoy the freedom of riding a motorcycle than the members of the military who sacrifice so much for the rest of us. To honor those who serve in the military,*Harley-Davidson*announced today that all active-duty, retired, reservists and veterans can sign up to participate for a free*Riding Academy*through Harley’s*Mission Open Road*program. Beginning on*Armed Forces Day, May 16, and running through September 13, all military members, past and present, can sign up for the free “Learn to Ride” training.

Six veterans and active-duty military ride the H-D Street 500 on the flight deck of the USS Yorktown as Harley-Davidson announced it is offering current and former U.S. military free Riding Academy motorcycle training. (Mic Smith/AP Images for Harley-Davidson)


Taking part of today’s announcement on the fight deck of the*USS Yorktown*in Charleston, S.C.,*U.S. Army veteran*and*two-time Paralympian,*Heath Calhoun*plus six other military riders demonstrated the core riding skills supported by the training.

“As a veteran, and a rider, I have found that nothing is more therapeutic than getting on my bike and taking a ride,” said Calhoun,*Wounded Warrior Project Alumnus*and owner of a 2014 Harley-Davidson Tri-Glide. “I am honored to help Harley-Davidson empower all of us who have served to find comfort on the open road.”

Debi Cole, from James Island, S.C., rides the H-D Street 500 aboard the USS Yorktown, in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. (Mic Smith/AP Images for Harley-Davidson)


All stateside military can sign up for the Riding Academy by visiting their local Harley-Davidson dealer or login on to*www.h-d.com/militarylearntoride. Military members who live in an area in which the Riding Academy is not available will receive a Harley-Davidson gift card for the amount of a certified motorcycle safety program. Similarly, all military serving overseas who turn in a “Learn to Ride” form prior to September 13 receive a free motorcycle training voucher for a class through the end of 2016.

“For us at Harley-Davidson this is our way to thank the millions of people who have courageously defended our country and everyone’s personal freedom to ride,” said*Christian Walters,*managing director of U.S. Sales and Marketing*at Harley-Davidson, and*U.S. Army veteran.

Tamika Whitfield, member of the U.S. Air Force, from Charleston, S.C. rides as Harley-Davidson announced it is offering free Riding Academy to all current and former U.S. Military. (Mic Smith/AP Images for Harley-Davidson)


Mission Open Road follows closely on the heels of*Operation Personal Freedom, a program initiated last November*through an alliance with*Wounded Warrior Project*directed towards improving the lives of service men and women facing the challenge of post-traumatic stress disorder. Operation Personal Freedom raises money to support Wounded Warrior Project endeavors through the donation of 10 percent of the sales of a special Harley-Davidson MotorClothes collection. Additionally, those funds help support dealer events honoring our military members around the nation. More information about Operation Personal Freedom can be found at*www.h-d.com/military.

Harley-Davidson Offers Free Riding Academy To All U.S. Military appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.



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