PHOENIX, April 25, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- U-Haul Company today announced its sponsorship and promotion of Soldier Ride. The Soldier Ride 2006 bicycle journey across the country, which starts in New York and ends in California, recognizes the incredible sacrifices soldiers have made and is being done to raise public awareness and support for the wounded and their families. Donations support the programs and services of Soldier Ride and its partner charity, the Wounded Warrior Project, which provide comfort and aid, counseling, rehabilitation and family assistance to the wounded during their hospital recovery and readjustment to civilian life.
Photos accompanying this release are available at
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The Soldier Ride SuperGraphic is part of the U-Haul "Commemorative" SuperGraphics campaign that since 1988 has produced thousands of trucks bearing the image of each branch of the military. The new Soldier Ride "Commemorative" SuperGraphic is being placed on 200 new 10-foot moving vans. The Soldier Ride SuperGraphic is meant to encourage Americans to show support for our veterans through donations to Soldier Ride, and will be officially unveiled Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. at U-Haul Corporate Headquarters, 2727 North Central Avenue in Phoenix.
U-Haul will be welcoming and honoring special guest U.S. Army (Retired) Staff Sgt. Ryan Kelly, who cycled across country last year as part of Soldier Ride after losing his leg to a roadside bomb in Iraq. Members of the USO of Metropolitan New York will be performing at the event. Information on how Americans can help support these soldiers who have given so selflessly to our country will be provided. In addition, U-Haul will be handing out free T-shirts at the event to promote Soldier Ride.
"The U-Haul System's commitment to assisting the severely wounded men and women of our armed forces get back on their feet is a shining example of the good that corporate America can do," said Steven Nardizzi, executive director of Soldier Ride. "This cross-country journey would not be taking place without the support of companies like U-Haul, and the soldiers, airmen, seamen and marines currently serving in Afghanistan and Iraq should take heart in the knowledge that this corporation is looking after their wounded comrades back home."
"U-Haul was started by a Navy veteran and his wife in 1945," stated U-Haul President Edward J. "Joe" Shoen. "The freedom of movement that our citizens enjoy has been paid for by the sacrifices of our armed forces. Soldier Ride gives the nation a chance to unite behind these veterans. The Soldier Ride SuperGraphic is just one of the ways in which U-Haul is able to thank our veterans for their service and we are thrilled to be able to do this."
Please join U-Haul in supporting the wounded soldiers prepared to embark upon this amazing trek.
In July 2005, U-Haul committed to collecting donations through the sales of "Defending Freedom" wristbands at participating U-Haul locations. U-Haul will continue to collect donations for Soldier Ride through the sales of "Defending Freedom" wristbands at over 1,300 moving and storage locations across the United States. U-Haul customers can purchase a wristband for $3, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to benefit Soldier Ride and the Wounded Warrior Project. Anyone wanting to make an online donation can also visit www.soldierride.org.
Since 1988, U-Haul has been decorating its moving trucks to honor our troops who serve and all Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice -- Colorado, Air Force jet; Virginia, aircraft carrier; Alabama, U.S. Army helicopter; Pennsylvania, United States Marine Corps.; September 11th, "United We Stand", which pays tribute to those who lost their lives on 9/11.
The America Soldier Ride logo is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2561
