Almost three years ago, August 6th, we lost an amazing group of Americans and their Afghan counterparts when Extortion 17, a US Army CH-47 helicopter was shot down over Wardak Province in Afghanistan. The toll was devastating; 25 Navy and Air Force Special Operators, five United States Army National Guard and Army Reserve aircrewmen, seven Afghan commandos, and one Afghan interpreter, as well as a US military working dog. Now, we remember their sacrifice and endeavor to raise funds to support their families.
Green Devil Garage built this amazing motorcycle to help raise funds for the Travis Mannion Foundation via auction. The Travis Mannion Foundation is a non-parochial 501(c)(3) charity that has a very simple charter, “To assist our nation’s veterans and the families of fallen heroes.” Funds from the Memorial Ride will go to the 31 Heroes Project.
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to go check this build out for myself at Green Devil Garage.
In addition to auctioning off this custom bike on August 2nd, there is a Memorial Ride as well. Even if you can’t make it in person, you can sign up as a virtual rider and receive a t-shirt.
Additional info on the fundraiser is available at www.crowdrise.com/extortion17motorcyclebuild/fundraiser/gdgextortionbuild. You can also donate directly to the fundraiser if you can’t make it to the memorial ride.
Below is the full press release.
Green Devil Garage to Build and Donate Tribute Motorcycle for the 3rd Annual Extortion 17 Memorial Ride
The Third Annual Extortion 17 Memorial Ride will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2014. The Memorial Ride is dedicated to the memory of 30 active duty military servicemen and 1 military working dog killed in action on August 6, 2011 when a CH-47 helicopter was shot down by enemy fire in Afghanistan. The Memorial Ride provides an opportunity for the community to gather and commemorate the Heroes of August 6, and to rally in a show of support for Gold Star families. This event not only ensures that their sacrifice is remembered, but it also serves as a fundraiser for families of fallen US service members via the 31Heroes Project, in partnership with the Travis Manion Foundation.
Green Devil Garage is pleased to announce that it will build a new motorcycle to be auctioned off at this year’s ride. This marks the second year the company will support the Extortion 17 Memorial Ride with an original design motorcycle. Last year at the Second Annual Extortion 17 Memorial Ride, Green Devil Garage’s custom bobber was the most valuable auction item, drawing $24,500 for the aforementioned charities. NRA American Warrior wrote about the tribute motorcycle: viewer.zmags.com/publication/e1dcb56f#/e1dcb56f/86
The Veteran-owned-operated small business is looking to raise $20,000 towards the build of this year’s custom bike. Donations will cover the cost of custom parts for the build. Any overage in donations will be forwarded to the The Travis Manion Foundation. Donors can support the 2014 custom Extortion 17 bike build by donating here through this Crowdwise page.
Opened in 2013, Green Devil Garage is Hampton Roads’ first motorcycle-repair-and-storage shop. Green Devil Garage specializes in building custom motorcycles and motorcycle repairs. Green Devil Garage provides storage solutions for motorcycles, complete with maintenance. Green Devil Garage is located on 553 South Birdneck Road # 209, Virginia Beach, Virginia and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 pm. Tuesday – Saturday. For more information, call Green Devil Garage at (757) 995-7288 or email greendevilgarage@gmail.com.
***SPECIAL NOTICE***
Donors for the motorcycle build will receive the same benefits as donors for the Extortion 17 Memorial Ride. Benefit levels follow:
Presenting Sponsors • $10,000 and up
o 12 T-shirts
o 12 EVENT BRACELETS
o Most prominent logo on 48×60 banner
o Most prominent company logo on the back of the annual ride T-shirt
o Promotion through website and Facebook
Platinum • $5,000
o 6 T-shirts
o 6 EVENT BRACELETS
o Logo on 48×60 banner (2nd level of prominence)
o 2nd prominent company logo on the back of the annual ride T-shirt
o Promotion through website and Facebook
Gold • $2,000
o 4 T-shirts
o Logo on 48×60 banner
o Promotion through website and Facebook
Silver • $1,000
o 2 T-shirts
o Logo on 48×60 banner
o Promotion through website and Facebook
Bronze • $500
o Logo on 48×60 banner
o Promotion through website and Facebook
