Join the GEICO Gecko for the Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride Set for May 7 in Annapolis

WASHINGTON--April 28, 201: The next stop on the 2011 Soldier Ride National Tour is May 7, 2011 in Annapolis, Md., and one of the biggest fans on the Maryland route will be the GEICO Gecko.

“Since 1936 when we first opened for business, the men and women who serve our country have held a special place in GEICO”s heart and history”

The event, a Wounded Warrior Project initiative, provides adaptive cycling opportunities across the country to help wounded warriors restore their physical and emotional well-being. The public is welcome to join the ride to honor military men and women.

One of the riders wrote, “Before the ride, I wasn”t doing too well physically or emotionally. The Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride let me meet other wounded vets who had similar injuries and see that they”re doing OK and can bike. I”m on my way to recovery and I have Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride to thank for that.”

GEICO became the presenting sponsor of the Soldier Ride tour recently. The Gecko heartily approved, saying, “We”re all mates.”

Other key dates on the tour are

• May 21 --Charlotte, North Carolina
• June 4 --Chicago, Illinois
• July 22 --Long Island, New York
• July 23 --Hamptons, New York
• August 27 --Boston, Massachusetts
• September 17 --Seattle, Washington
• September 24 --Nashville, Tennessee
• October 22 --Phoenix, Arizona
• November 12 --San Antonio, Texas

For complete details and to sign up, go to 2011 Soldier Ride National Tour.

“Since 1936 when we first opened for business, the men and women who serve our country have held a special place in GEICO”s heart and history,” said Michael Baker, GEICO director of military marketing. “We are honored to be a national sponsor of Soldier Ride in support of injured service members.”

GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and is the third-largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States. The company is celebrating its 75^th anniversary this year. GEICO handles auto insurance coverage for 10 million private passenger auto policies and insures more than 16 million vehicles.

In addition to auto insurance, GEICO offers customers insurance products for their motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and mobile homes. Coverage for life, boats, homes and apartments is available through the GEICO Insurance Agency. Commercial auto insurance and personal umbrella protection are also available.

As a member of the Berkshire Hathaway group of companies, GEICO is rated A++ for financial strength by A.M. Best Company.