Harley Learn to Ride Provides Free Training to US Military

Harley Learn to Ride Provides Free Training to US Military
Tamika Whitfield, member of the U.S. Air Force, from Charleston, rides the H-D Street 500 aboard the USS Yorktown, in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., 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)
Harley Learn to Ride Provides Free Training to US Military
Tamika Whitfield, member of the U.S. Air Force, from Charleston, rides the H-D Street 500 aboard the USS Yorktown, in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., 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)

In efforts to give back to those who serve our country, Harley-Davidson has launched its newest training program that is free to all current and former U.S. military – “Learn to Ride.”

The new Harley-Davidson Riding Academy motorcycle training program was announced Thursday from the most relevant place – the flight deck of the USS Yorktown in Charleston, S.C.

While there, Harley teamed up with U.S. Army veteran and two-time Paralympian, Heath Calhoun, and six riders who are also in the military, and demonstrated proper riding exercises right from the deck of the USS Yorktown.

“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.”

The Learn to Ride program – open to active-duty, retired, reservists and veterans – throttles into action on Armed Forces Day, May 16, and runs through September. 13.

Harley Learn to Ride Provides Free Training to US Military Street 750
The scene from on the flight deck of the USS Yorktown while six veterans and active-duty military ride the H-D Street 500 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)

Harley reports that all stateside military can take advantage of this offer by visiting a Harley-Davidson dealer or going to www.h-d.com/militarylearntoride. If Riding Academy is not available in a particular area, Harley-Davidson will issue a Harley-Davidson gift card totaling the cost of the certified motorcycle safety program.

Those currently deployed outside the U.S. can also submit the “Learn to Ride” form by Sept. 13 and will receive a voucher for free motorcycle safety training that is good through 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.

Harley-Davidson Operation Personal Freedom

Last November, Harley-Davidson announced a new alliance with Wounded Warrior Project® that focuses on improving the lives of service men and women who are living with post-traumatic stress disorder.

This new program, dubbed Operation Personal Freedom, includes a new Harley-Davidson MotorClothes collection with 10 percent of the sales supporting WWP’s efforts as well as various dealer events across the country focused on welcoming and celebrating our military heroes. To learn more about Operation Personal Freedom visit www.h-d.com/military.

Harley Learn to Ride USS Yorktown Photo Gallery:

 

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