Ride around Atlanta wrapped-up as band entertained and delighted veterans with a surprise impromptu acoustic performance

Article courtesy of Motorcycle Cruiser written by staff

In honor and recognition of Veterans Day, Indian Motorcycle, America’s first motorcycle company, paid tribute to our nation’s veterans with a day of gratitude and a motorcycle ride on the outskirts of Atlanta. In partnership with Zac Brown Band, the Indian Motorcycle Riders Group and charity partner Veterans Charity Ride to Sturgis, the ride kicked-off Wednesday morning beginning at Indian Motorcycle of Marietta and ending at the campus of Camp Southern Ground, Zac Brown’s non-profit passion initiative, in Fayetteville.

The ride hosted more than 100 riders and veterans from California all the way to Virginia, in addition to Indian Motorcycle Riders Group (IMRG) members from Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. Veterans and other participants were welcomed by breakfast and a kick-off tribute delivered by Steve Menneto, President of Motorcycles for Polaris Industries, who joined the veterans for the day. The scenic ride lasted two hours and traveled through the outskirts of Atlanta. The full day of events dedicated to saluting all American military veterans culminated in lunch and a surprise acoustic performance by Zac Brown Band at Camp Southern Ground.

“All of us at Indian Motorcycle are honored and humbled to continue our steadfast support of America’s military personnel, their families and our veterans, whom we proudly salute today on Veteran’s Day,” said Steve Menneto. “I thank the more than 100 veterans and IMRG riders who took part in this epic day of motorcycle comradery. I would also like to thank Zac Brown Band and their team for their support of our troops, and for making this a legendary event.”

Along for the ride and day’s events were four representatives of the ‘Veterans Charity Ride to Sturgis,’ which provides two-wheeled motorcycle therapy for wounded and amputee American military veterans. This past summer marked the second straight year Indian Motorcycle has sponsored this very special charity ride, which departed from Los Angeles en route to the 76th annual Black Hills Rally through some of America’s most scenic landscapes.

Camp Southern Ground is a non-profit organization founded by Zac Brown, with a mission to provide extraordinary experiences for children to recognize and magnify the unique gifts within themselves and others in order to profoundly impact the world. Camp Southern Ground places a special emphasis on those with neuro-developmental disorders, as well as children from military families and those with social or emotional challenges.

Indian Motorcycle partnered with Grammy award-winning and multi-platinum artists Zac Brown Band in May 2015 as ambassadors for the iconic American motorcycle brand. The band, an avid group of motorcycle riders, supports Indian Motorcycle through various events and initiatives across the country.

Indian Motorcycle has a proud military history, providing bikes to the war efforts in both WWI and WWII as well as supporting a host of military programs and events over the course of many decades. Zac Brown Band has a long history of supporting the U.S. military as well. The band members are USO tour veterans who have entertained more than 20,000 troops. In partnership with Indian Motorcycle and the USO, Zac Brown Band met with select troops on some stops of their 50-city North American Stadium Tour, crossing the country in support of their recently released ‘JEKYLL + HYDE’ album, which garnered their third consecutive number one ranking on the Billboard 200.

“It was an honor and a privilege to be a part of this day and the band is proud to have played a small role in making this day special for our veterans,” said Zac Brown. “Camp Southern Ground was proud to host this special event and welcomes our nations veterans today and every day.”