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Monday, January 10, 2011

Victory gives away motorcycles to two of America's military members...

OFF THE WIRE
 Written by Asia
clutchandchrome.com
It was a care package like none other when Victory Motorcycles worked with Operation Gratitude as it promised one its latest models to a service member in early December, 2010.
Working with Califorina-based Operation Gratitude, Victory sent the keys to the first of these two motorcycles inside the 600,000th care package delivered overseas by General James Amos, Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, on behalf of the charity. Operation Gratitude volunteers sealed the keys to the bike in the landmark care package in Van Nuys, Calif. on December 11, beginning a two-week journey to the Sangin District of the Helmand Province in Afghanistan.
Now the charity and American motorcycle manufacturer have released details about the lucky recipient of the 2011 Victory Vegas 8-Ball. The latest Victory rider is a Lance Corporal with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines (also known as the “Dark Horse Battalion”) who discovered the keys to the new motorcycle on Christmas Day, along with letters of appreciation, hygiene products, DVDs, and other typically donated items for Operation Gratitude packages. The recipient will receive his bike when his battalion returns to Camp Pendleton later in 2011.
“Victory is always looking for meaningful ways to thank those serving in the military and our veterans,” said Victory Motorcycles General Manager Steve Menneto. “The opportunity to partner with Operation Gratitude and donate one of our motorcycles to the organization’s 600,000th care package means a lot to our company. We encourage everyone to continue finding ways to thank our troops for all they sacrifice in service to our country.”
This is the first time in Victory’s partnership with Operation Gratitude that the company has donated a motorcycle. Earlier this year, Victory invited the public to support military personnel by dropping off items for Operation Gratitude at Victory dealerships.
In addition to donating a motorcycle to Operation Gratitude’s efforts during the recent holiday season, Victory also gave away a second, brand-new 2011 Victory Vegas 8-Ball to Jonathan Hartt, T1/E-6 of the U.S. Navy.
News of Hartt receiving the bike was the culmination of Victory’s Hometown Heroes initiative. Beginning in December, Victory encouraged friends and family of members of the military to submit short videos explaining why their loved one was a Hometown Hero. Victory invited the public to vote on the entries and the video submitted by Hartt’s wife and three children, explaining why he was their hero, received more votes than any other submission. The gift of a 2011 Victory was a thank you to Hartt for his efforts to serve our country and for setting a heroic example for his family and friends.
Both of the motorcycles feature a special military badge, giving a unique twist to the sleek-looking, all-black bikes. Including the badge on these motorcycles is Victory’s way of publicly honoring the recipients and thanking these individuals for their service.
Victory’s partnership with Operation Gratitude and Victory’s Hometown Heroes initiative are just two components of Victory’s ongoing support for military personnel and veterans. Military personnel who ride Victory Motorcycles are featured regularly in Victory Rider magazine and on the Victory website, and all military personnel and veterans are invited to pick up their free Victory Military Rider Pins from any Victory dealer.
“Across the globe, there are men and women who have served or are serving in our military that are Hometown Heroes,” said Menneto. “Honoring these people, not just for their service to our country, but also for what they do to make the lives of those around them better each day, provided the motivation to launch an initiative like Victory’s Hometown Heroes. We’re proud of all of our troops, and couldn’t be happier to give away a bike as a sign of our appreciation.”