A serviceman’s best friend

WASILLA — Denali Harley-Davidson of Wasilla makes it a point to honor United State veterans on a monthly basis. But a couple times each year, they do a little extra. Denali, and other South-Central Alaska dealers marked Veterans Day with special “Military Honor Days” at all its dealerships.

All active, retired and US military veterans were invited to join the public in taking advantage of the festivities including free gifts, putting their name in the hat at a chance to win a full day tattoo session with Black Flag AK, and receiving discounts on official licensed Harley-Davidson products throughout the day. The public is encouraged to stop by to show their support by signing their thanks’ and appreciation on a banner, which will be sent to troops deployed overseas.

Denali Harley-Davidson was one of the dealers hosting Battle Dawgs, a local non-profit organization based out of Big Lake. The organization helps service members struggling to combat post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). The two teamed up for the month of November. Both are asking for $22 donations in honor of the national “22 Veterans a Day” suicide awareness campaign.

“We’ve seen a lot of people doing 22 push-up challenges and things like that on Facebook, these guys are actually working with men and women who have been in combat and are providing an opportunity for them,” said South-Central Alaska Harley Davison general manager Dia Matteson.

Battle Dawgs uses their Alaska-based lodge “Camp Battle Dawgs” and outpost camps to help our nation’s warriors reintegrate back into everyday life. In addition to having a booth at the dealer, Battle Dawgs founder and chairman Rick Casillo brought some of his staff and Belgian Malinous D.O.G. (D-o-gee) to show how the outfit trains service dogs.

Another of Battle Dawgs missions is to provide our nation’s heroes with well-trained, task-driven service dogs. It is one of few that can provide this service at no charge to veterans.

“With our primary focus on PTSD, TBIs and suicide, these service dogs play a crucial role in our overall program. We will provide these service dogs to selected veterans at no charge to the veteran. We are only able to provide this program through donations and support,” said Casillo.

Denali Harley-Davidson manager Fred Becker V said this year marked the second that the dealership and Battle Dawgs teamed up to help honor America’s veterans. Becker said approximately $850 was raised during the open house. Beck said Lowe’s of Wasilla was a co-sponsor this year providing gift cards for some of the day’s door prizes given away.

“We had about 300 people show up throughout the day,” Becker said. “That’s a whole lot more than normal for this time of year. It was an awesome event.”

Becker said the dealership hosts one veterans event each month held the first Saturday. At this event, those stopping by were also invited to sign a Harley-Davidson banner presented to local veteran Tracy Try. Try served 26 years in the Army and Air Force, Beck said. He is also an avid Harley-Davidson enthusiast and serves as “official staff photographer” for many of the local Harley Owners Group (HOG) fundraising functions.

Another HOG member, Sharon Chambers, nabbed the a day with Black Flag AK. She is a member of HOG 1836 chapter.

Battle Dawgs hosts its fourth annual Warrior and Racing benefit this Saturday at the Palmer Train Depot in downtown Palmer starting at 6 p.m..

The organization also is involved with the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. Casillo, a musher himself, said Battle Dawgs Racing’s mission is to empower our nation’s heroes through therapeutic and exciting experience by harnessing the natural splendor of Alaska’s landscape and the majestic healing power of sled dogs.

All proceeds from the night’s event are split between Battle Dawgs Warrior Camps and its Iditarod Racing Team. For more information or tickets, visit www.battledawgs.org or contact Leslie Gordon at leslie.gordon@matsuk12.us.