Woolrich supports Armed Forces Entertainment’s Heavy Medal Tour

Woolrich, the Original Outdoor Clothing Company®, will be a supporting partner of this month’s “Heavy Medal Tour” – an Armed Forces Entertainment project featuring Vancouver medalists from the US Nordic Combined team.

Travelling from their hometown of Steamboat Springs to undisclosed military installations of southwest Asia, the Tour will feature U.S. Nordic Combined medal winners Bill Demong (gold, silver), Johnny Spillane (silver, silver), Brett Camerota (silver) and Todd Lodwick (silver).

As a supporting partner, Woolrich will outfit the staff with customized travel apparel; provide gifts for the Tour to distribute to American troops in the field; and donate a special collection of Freedom Throw blankets to be featured during the Hometown Heroes Celebration in Steamboat Springs on Friday April 2, 2010.

“I am so excited to have the opportunity to visit the troops overseas. These men and women have sacrificed so much to serve our country and defend our ideals,” said four-time Olympian, World Champion and Olympic gold and silver medalist, Bill Demong. “Our whole team agreed this is a huge priority for us to attend and share our story of teamwork and commitment.”

Actively involved in the support of U.S. troops, Woolrich donates a portion of all proceeds from Freedom Throw sales to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), a nonprofit organization which provides beneficial programs and a network of support to veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, combat stress, or who have been injured in the line of duty.

“We’ve supplied products to the U.S. military since before the Civil War, and we’re proud to have the opportunity to continue to show our support of our troops,” said Jerry Rinder, Vice President Wholesale Apparel & Corporate Marketing.

Approximately three weeks long, the Heavy Medal Tour begins tomorrow in Steamboat Springs, Colo., with the Hometown Heroes Celebration. The town-wide holiday will honor the achievement of their local athletes in at the Winter Olympic Games and will include the reading of Orders by USAF Col Ed Shock, Chief of Armed Forces Entertainment, statements by government officials, and a special note by the Commander of the Colorado Army National Guard.

The U.S. Team ended an 86-year U.S. Olympic medal drought in the sport of Nordic Combined (a sport combining ski jumping and cross-country skiing) at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games when they captured medals in each of the Nordic Combined events contested at the games. Johnny Spillane (Steamboat Springs, CO) started the two weeks of historic results off with the U.S.’s first-ever Nordic Combined medal, winning a silver in the Normal Hill Combined event. Spillane was then joined by teammates Bill Demong (Vermontville, NY), Brett Camerota (Park City, UT) and veteran Todd Lodwick (Steamboat Springs, CO) for the team competition where they came away with a silver medal. Demong and Spillane capped off the historic fortnight with a gold-silver finish in the Large Hill Combined competition.

About Armed Forces Entertainment
Armed Forces Entertainment is the official Department of Defense agency for providing entertainment to U.S. military personnel serving overseas, with priority given to those in contingency operations and at remote and isolated locations. The Department of the Air Force is the executive agent of Armed Forces Entertainment. Founded in 1951, Armed Forces Entertainment brings a touch of home to more than 500,000 troops annually, embracing the best of Americana that stretches across all genres of entertainment. Visit www.armedforcesentertainment.com for more information.

About Woolrich®
Woolrich Inc., the Original Outdoor Clothing Company®, is an authentic American brand that embraces an outdoor lifestyle. Trusted since 1830 by generations of loyal consumers, Woolrich continues its tradition of providing quality products for today’s outdoor enthusiast. A brand recognized worldwide, Woolrich product offerings include functional, comfortable and durable men’s and women’s sportswear and outerwear using innovative fabrications for the ultimate in performance capabilities, well-designed home and outdoor living products, and licensed accessory products. In 2010, Woolrich celebrates its 180th Anniversary. It is the original and longest continuously operating outdoor apparel manufacturer and woolen mill in the United States. Find out more at www.woolrich.com.

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