The Makers of Red Baron® Products Honor Heroes Beyond the Battlefield at Premiere of "Marvel's The Avengers"

BLOOMINGTON, Minn., April 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The makers of Red Baron® Baron's Best Pizza are rolling out the red carpet at "Marvel's The Avengers" premiere for two brave servicemen who have overcome wartime injuries and given back to their veteran community. On April 11, 2012, at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles, Army Specialist Jason Braase (Ret.) and Marine Corporal Adam Harris (Ret.) will be honored as part of the "Red Baron™ Heroes Beyond the Battlefield" program. These two servicemen were identified through a relationship with Wounded Warrior Project™ (WWP), a national organization that works to honor and empower injured service members and help these servicemen and women assist each other.

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Celebration Fit for Heroes
While Braase served in the Army and Harris was a member of the Marines, both men have demonstrated heroic qualities by not considering their injuries as limitations and taking the initiative to create new endeavors to help others. 

Their military experiences and successful transitions to civilian life inspired these "battle buddies" to create a rehabilitative venue for veterans and outdoor enthusiasts alike called the Lydle Gulch Disc Golf Course in Boise, Idaho. Through a partnership with the Army Corps of Engineers, Innova Disc Golf and the Idaho Disc Golf Association, the course is expected to be completed in 2012.

Braase, Harris and one guest each will receive red carpet treatment and an all-expense paid trip to the world premiere of "Marvel's The Avengers." In addition to walking the red carpet, meeting the film's stars and watching the epic Super Hero movie, the two veterans will receive round-trip air transportation provided by Southwest Airlines and enjoy three-nights of hotel accommodations at the Ramada Plaza West Hollywood courtesy of Wyndham Rewards®. Each Wounded Warrior will also receive $2,600 and a year's worth of the new Baron's Best Pizza.   

"These heroes exemplify the spirit of the Red Baron brand. They recently served our country and their comrades with dignity and have triumphed from their injuries to make a difference in their communities today," said Craig Wanous, director of marketing for the Red Baron® brand. "We're committed to helping the Wounded Warrior Project improve the lives of those who serve and it's our privilege to honor and acknowledge these brave individuals."

Braase and Harris met during their post-wartime recovery at a facility in Boise, Idaho. Their four-year friendship and mutual respect was fostered by similar military experiences in Iraq and their spirit of perseverance. Braase was an armored crewman in Kirkuk, Iraq, from 2004 until June 2005 when he sustained limb and other injuries as a result of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) while assisting an Explosive Ordnance Unit (EOD). Thanks to surgeons, doctors and nurses at the medical facilities in Iraq, Germany and the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Braase still has use of his leg.

Harris served multiple tours in Iraq for the Marine Corps from 2003 to 2007, including time in Ramadi as a combat infantry rifleman with the 2nd Battalion of the 5th Marines and Habbaniyah with the 1st USMC Explosive Ordnance Unit (EOD). After engaging in numerous direct combat actions and witnessing the loss of life of fellow Marines, Harris ended his military career as a decorated "warfighter."

Introducing New Legendary Pizzas
In conjunction with recognizing the loyal valor of two American heroes, the makers of Red Baron® products are celebrating the launch of its line of new premium pizzas, Baron's Best, fit for Super Heroes and pizza fans alike. Baron's Best Pizza is offered in two premium crust styles, Hand Tossed and Pan. All authentic varieties are topped with 100 percent real cheese, flavorful sauce and the finest toppings. The Hand Tossed-style pizza has a rising, bread crumb coated crust that is both crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Topping varieties include 4-Cheese, Pepperoni, 4-Meat and Supreme. The Pan pizza cooks in its own pan for a crust that is golden on the outside and chewy on the inside. The great-tasting topping options are 4-Cheese, Pepperoni, Meat-Trio® and Supreme. Baron's Best Hand Tossed and Pan Pizzas are available now in grocers' freezers nationwide with a suggested retail price of $5.99.

For more information on Red Baron® Baron's Best Pizzas and the makers of Red Baron® products' involvement with Wounded Warrior Project, visit www.RedBaron.com, the Red Baron® Pizza Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/RedBaronPizza and follow Red Baron® Pizza on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/RedBaronPizza.              

About Red Baron® Products
Red Baron® products are sold by Schwan's Consumer Brands, Inc., a subsidiary of The Schwan Food Company (a privately held, multibillion-dollar business). Schwan's Consumer Brands, Inc., headquartered in Bloomington, MN, is the retail-grocery channel of the company. Its many popular brands include Red Baron®, Tony's®, and Freschetta® pizzas, Pagoda Express® snacks and appetizers, Larry's® potatoes, and Mrs. Smith's® and Edwards® dessert products. Red Baron® products range from family-sized and single-serve frozen pizzas, to snacks, hand-helds and meals and are represented in more than 50,000 retail outlets across the United States.  Established in 1976, the Red Baron® brand offers a wide range of products and varieties designed with the entire family in mind.

About Wounded Warrior Project
The mission of the Wounded Warrior Project™ (WWP) is to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP's purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org.

About Marvel's The Avengers
Marvel Studios presents "Marvel's The Avengers"—the team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel Super Heroes Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Tom Hiddleston, with Stellan Skarsgard and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, directed by Joss Whedon, from a story by Zak Penn and Joss Whedon with screenplay by Joss Whedon, "Marvel's The Avengers" is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series "The Avengers," first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since. Prepare yourself for an exciting event movie, packed with action and spectacular special effects, when "Marvel's The Avengers" assemble in summer 2012.

"Marvel's The Avengers" is presented by Marvel Studios in association with Paramount Pictures. The film is being produced by Marvel Studios' President Kevin Feige and executive produced by Alan Fine, Jon Favreau, Stan Lee, Louis D'Esposito, Patricia Whitcher, Victoria Alonso and Jeremy Latcham. The film releases May 4, 2012, and is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing.  For more information visit www.marvel.com.

©2012 Schwan's Consumer Brands, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

For more information, contact:
Samantha Klein, GolinHarris
(312) 729-4329
[email protected]

SOURCE Red Baron