Freedom Harley-Davidson has organized the
first-ever Law Enforcement Appreciation Day to be held on Sunday,
April 30, 2006 at Six Flags Elitch Gardens.The event will begin
with a Law Enforcement Day Walk at 9:00 a.m. and the 2nd Annual
Donnie Young Memorial Ride at 9:00 a.m.The day will culminate with
a parade at 2:00 p.m. and a ceremony honoring law enforcement.One
hundred percent of the proceeds will go to the Denver Police
Foundation, which supports police programs and assistance to
families of officers killed in the line of duty.
Held in June 2005, the First Annual Donnie
Young Memorial Ride was organized by Freedom Harley-Davidson to
commemorate the life of
Donnie Young, a decorated Denver police officer who was shot and killed on
May 8, 2005.Freedom Harley-Davidson approached Young's wife about
the fundraiser idea, as Young was an avid Harley-Davidson
motorcycle rider.The 2005 memorial ride raised $15,000 and drew a
crowd of more than 600 riders.
"This year, we decided to create a day to
honor law enforcement to coincide with the 2nd Annual Donnie Young
Memorial Ride," commented Ken Allen, owner of Freedom
Harley-Davidson. "Six FlagsElitchGardens knew this was to be a
family-centered event, so they stepped up to host it."
The inaugural Law Enforcement Appreciation
Day will consist of many activities, including:
-Law Enforcement Day Walk: a less than 2-mile walk starting
at SixFlagsElitchGardens, continuing along Little Raven , and
returning back to the amusement park-2nd Annual Donnie Young Memorial Ride: a motorcycle ride
beginning at Six Flags and circling the city on I-25, I-70 West and
C-470.
-Event Day Parade: a parade featuring Justice League
characters, a marching band, motorcycles, and other entertainment,
culminating with a ceremony honoring Donnie Young and law
enforcement officers.
-Harley-Davidson Giveaway: one lucky participant from the
walk and one lucky participant from the ride will win a new
Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Need not be present to win.
-Pavilions, Stages, and Booths:an area to showcase law
enforcement through displays, demonstrations, and appearances by
official police helicopter, dogs, horses.
-Pre-registration is encouraged online at
www.freedomh-d.com beginning April 10, 2006 or at the Freedom Harley-Davidson
store, 8020 W. Colfax Avenue, Lakewood.
Harley-Davidson as a company celebrates a
long history of supporting law enforcement, dating back to 1908,
when the first Harley-Davidson was sold for police duty to the
Detroit, MI, Police Department.Today, Harley-Davidson police
motorcycles are presently in service in thousands of law
enforcement agencies nationwide and serve in several countries
abroad.