Title
Harley’s Heroes helps more than 7,000 veterans during 2007
The inaugural Harley Heroes™ program, which supports the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Mobile Service Office (MSO) program has come to a successful close of its first year.

The program, funded by a $1 million pledge from the Harley-Davidson Foundation, made stops throughout the U.S. to provide benefits assistance to veterans of all ages in communities where they live. As part of the program, Harley-Davidson dealers were invited to host Harley-Heroes events throughout the year.
2007 tour produces great first year results
More than 180 Harley-Davidson dealers hosted events at their dealerships. In addition, the tour made stops at Harley-Davidson customer events taking place at Daytona, Laconia and Sturgis.

More than 7,000 people were directly served at Harley’s Heroes events held at dealerships. The program also produced an increase of 62% over the previous year in the number of filings for veteran claims for compensation, medical, pension, education and other benefits.

“In its first year, Harley’s Heroes made a significant impact in addressing the needs of those who have served our country,” said Gail Lione, President of the Harley-Davidson Foundation. “The commitment of our dealers to this project enabled DAV to reach a greater number of disabled veterans and their families than in previous years. The Harley-Davidson family is truly making a difference.”

Helping veterans receive their benefits
Many veterans who needed the free help the DAV provided through the 2007 Harley Heroes Tour are among the 1.4 million who have so far fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to data released by the Veterans Administration, only 25 percent of those veterans have filed claims for benefits.

The Harley-Davidson Foundation, Inc. was established in 1993. Harley-Davidson, Inc. utilizes this non-profit organization to support the communities in which the Company has facilities. The majority of the Foundation's investments are in the areas of education and community revitalization with funds also supporting programs in arts and culture, health, the environment, and national veterans initiatives. For more information, visit www.harley-davidson.com.