CINCINNATI, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — As a world class mixed martial artist, Rich Franklin has seen his share of bloody battles. But after meeting wounded veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and other military and Veterans Affairs hospitals, the Ultimate Fighting Championship star decided to honor those brave men and women whose sacrifices make our freedom possible.

Franklin has teamed up with the Disabled American Veterans to create “Real American Fighters,” a tribute to the men and women of the U.S. military who have been wounded in defense of our freedom.

Franklin has already visited disabled veterans at the Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis. While there, he filmed a public service announcement in which he calls for support of DAV. He also plans to pro duce several limited edition American Fighter shirts to help raise funds forDAV. Franklin will continue visiting disabled veterans on behalf of the DAV and serve as the organization’s ambassador in the rapidly expanding mixed martial arts universe.

The funds raised by Franklin will help fund outreach to disabled veterans and countless DAV programs aimed at bettering the lives of wounded service men and women.

“I believe that no one should ignore, forget or disregard the sacrifice that the men and women who go to battle give,” Franklin said. “When I visit a disabled veteran who has lost a limb or has an injury so severe that their life is changed forever, I think we all need to get on our knees and thank God for these Real American Fighters.”

As part of his commitment to the newest generation of disabled veterans, Franklin will visit the Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio on Tuesday, which is Veterans Day. DAV provided a substantial financial contribution helped build the state-of-the-art center.

“The DAV is proud to have Rich Franklin fighting for disabled veterans,” said DAV National Adjutant Arthur H. Wilson. “His reputation as a tough, conditioned athlete is overshadowed only by his reputation as a true patriot.”

“For instance, I was touched to learn that Rich, after spending several weeks away from his home to train for his last fight, didn’t stick around to celebrate his victory,” Wilson said. “He boarded a plane to head overseas and brighten the lives of our fighting men and women in the Middle East. That’s a man who loves his country and honors those who defend its freedom.”

Real American Fighters is based on the American Fighter brand, which Franklin co-owns, and honors our true warriors–those men and women who bear the physical and psychological scars of war.

For more information, check our http://www.AmericanFighter.com.

The 1.2 million-member Disabled American Veterans, a non-profit organization founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932, represents this nation’s disabled veterans. It is dedicated to a single purpose: building better lives for our nation’s disabled veterans and their families. For more information, visit the organization’s Web site, http://www.dav.org.

SOURCE Disabled American Veterans