Indian Motorcycle Sponsors Second Annual 'Veterans Charity Ride to Sturgis'

Indian Motorcycle Sponsors Second Annual ‘Veterans Charity Ride to Sturgis’

In celebration of Veterans Day, Indian Motorcycle has announced its sponsorship and support of the second annual Veterans Charity Ride to Sturgis. This marks the second straight year Indian Motorcycle will sponsor this very special event, which is focused on raising awareness and support for America’s severely wounded and injured veterans.

The ride will depart Los Angeles on July 30, 2016 en route to Sturgis, SD and will culminate at the 76th annual Black Hills Rally. Over the course of the ride, the 15 selected veterans will experience some of America’s most scenic and iconic landscapes from the seat of an Indian motorcycle as an important part of their personal healing process. Several of the Indian models will be customized with Champion sidecars to accommodate riders who are unable to operate a motorcycle themselves due to their injuries. Indian Motorcycle will once again team with Emmy award-winning director Robert Manciero and producer Dave Frey of Full Vision Productions to plan and chronicle the entire journey.

“We are pleased to renew our partnership with Indian Motorcycle in 2016 in honor of all the military service personnel who sacrificed so much for our country — especially those who have suffered life-changing physical and mental injuries,” said Robert Manciero. “This program is about much more than just making dreams come true for these vets and enjoying a weeklong ride to Sturgis. We’re combining nature’s beauty and serenity with motorcycle therapy and camaraderie to help these riders on their road to healing. We have an exciting and impactful weeklong adventure planned for our wounded veterans, with stops along the way at some of the most scenic locations this country has to offer and a fantastic celebration when they arrive in Sturgis.”

“Indian Motorcycle has a long tradition of supporting the U.S. military and our Armed Forces personnel that dates all the way back to World War I,” said Scott Meek, Marketing Director for Indian Motorcycle. “Today all of us at Indian Motorcycle are proud to announce our full support and sponsorship of the second annual Veterans Charity Ride to Sturgis. This program is making a positive difference in the lives of our traumatically injured military veterans and we are committed to it for the long term. The Veterans Charity to Sturgis is the next great tradition in our legacy of supporting our troops.”

Veterans seeking assistance and those wishing to view videos and stories of the past ride can log on to www.VeteransCharityRide.org for more information including details on partner organizations offering counseling and services for veterans and their families.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame recently named Marilyn Stemp and Steve Piehl to its board of directors.

Stemp is a pioneering figure in the motorcycle industry, founding IronWorks Magazine with her late husband, Dennis, and becoming the first female editor of a nationally circulated, mainstream motorcycle magazine. She also revived their trade magazine, Iron Trader News; edits the monthly Kiwi Indian News; contributes to several powersports media outlets; and is the founding editor of Sturgis Rider Daily. Stemp is a noted editor and writer of several motorcycle-focused books. Her consistent support for charitable efforts in the industry include the annual Biker Belles Celebration, Las Vegas BikeFest and as campaign chair for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s development plan in 2014. She co-founded the Flying Piston charity events taking place in Daytona and Sturgis each year and is a National Ambassador for All Kids Bike. Stemp was inducted into both the Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Sturgis Museum's Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2022 she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Powersports by DealerNews.