Global apparel and footwear company Born Primitive has announced a special edition of their bestselling Savage 1 Training Shoe to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. This release aims to raise $50,000 to support the Best Defense Foundation in returning sixty WWII veterans to Normandy, France, for the anniversary in June.
Born Primitive is donating 100% of the profits, up to $50,000, from the sales of the D-Day Edition Savage 1 to the Best Defense Foundation. These funds will help cover the costs of returning 60 WWII veterans to Normandy for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day on June 6, 2024.
For the third consecutive year, Delta Airlines and Michelin North America, Inc. will partner with the Best Defense Foundation for their Battlefield Return Program. This program brings D-Day veterans back to Normandy to be honored with parades, ceremonies, school visits, and other events.
Bear Handlon, Founder and CEO of Born Primitive and a former U.S. Navy Lieutenant, emphasized the importance of D-Day and expressed pride in supporting the veterans’ return to Normandy. He noted that this effort aligns with the company’s commitment to giving back and supporting significant causes.
In addition to the standard D-Day Edition Savage 1 Training Shoe, Born Primitive is releasing 500 exclusive collector’s editions. These will be packaged in ammo cans with serial numbers and include sand from Omaha Beach, an 80th Anniversary D-Day commemorative coin, a copy of General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Order of the Day, and six veteran baseball cards featuring participants in the Best Defense Foundation’s Battlefield Return Program.
Pre-sales for the D-Day Edition Savage 1, including the collector’s edition, will begin on May 31, 2024, with shipping expected in August. Customers can pre-order these items on bornprimitive.com.
Handlon reiterated the company’s mission to give back and support meaningful causes, highlighting the Best Defense Foundation’s mission of “Taking Care of the Ones Who Took Care of Us.” He encouraged customers to join in supporting this initiative.
The Savage 1 Training Shoe is designed for high performance, featuring a specially formulated EVA midsole for lightweight cushioning and a durable rubber molded outsole. Key features include a breathable air mesh upper, dual-density molded footbed for stability and cushioning, and a unique tread design for maximum traction. The shoe also offers a wide toe box for better balance and comfort, a TPU heel stabilizer for improved lateral stability, and a TPU forefoot/toe overlay for upper durability.