gapwedge

I had the honor to ride in the 2nd annual Arkansas Wounded Warrior Project Ride this past Saturday. 9 veterans rode the 26 miles of rolling hills with 3 of them on specially made bikes. Legs were missing, arms were missing, vision was missing, but the heart and the spirit of these brave men were in full display. As a Vietnam veteran I was humbled to see these young men coming home with limbs missing to begin their rehabilitation. As you will see in the pics part of the ride was down the tarmac of the Little Rock AFB. The ride was support by the Rolling Thunder motorcycle group who helped with traffic and the Daughters of the American Revolution who supported with logistics and moral support. In one of the pics you will see a memorial of flags with the names of the Arkansas fallen heros. This memorial was started by a father who has lost 2 sons in Iraq.

Wanderer

Thanks, from a fellow Vietnam Vet!

txvintage

I'm actually a Wounded Warrior member, or "Alumni", as it were. I'm lucky in that I still have all my parts. I missed out on a ride last year that was a 2nd annual thing that one of our memebers CM Shooter has done both years the local guys have done it. The guys ride from Dallas to Corpus Christie and do every Texas stop of the Soldier Rides along the way.

This year the Soldier Rides will start down South and work their way North. I hope to get released by my Doc to start training in about three weeks in hopes of making it this year. Either way I'm going to at least ride with the Vets here in the DFW area.

I would encourage everyojne who can to do a Soldier Ride. While you are helping to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project the most important thing is that on that day you are riding with the Vets. I hope that makes sense.

Wanderer

Welcome Home, Brother!

txvintage

It's hard for me to really consider myself in the same light as these guys. I went to the WWP web site to make a contribution one day. I saw and and filled out the questionaire and it turned out I "had the qualifications" if you want to call them that

What I live with was bad enough to end a 10 yr career, but is nothing compared to what these guys have faced and overcome. Still, anyone who has served feels the bond, no matter where and when.

I keep going back to gapwedge's pic of the guy in the wheel chair with the little grin. That my friends is what it is all about.

JoelS

That's wonderful! What a great thing to do. And for all you vets out there, thank you very much for the sacrifices you've made for the rest of us here at home.

gapwedge

I was unaware txvintage. I guess all vets of any war are all brothers. Being one, I still salute you for your service. After 9/11 if the military could have taken an old man I would have served.

Neil_B

Very nice. It looks like a great ride with a bunch of guys who are far tougher than most of us.

You mentioned riders who had suffered vision loss. How did they ride? It's my understanding that usually sightless riders are on a tandem with a sighted rider, but I didn't see any tandems.

Those handcycle riders have impressive forearms!

mkadam68

+ a million!!

gapwedge

Lost vision in one eye. Though he was on a road bike he followed someone as well. Others had impairments covered by their clothing. Not all have to be totally disabled to be a wounded warrior.

Neil_B

Understood.

ezekielbulver

I ran in the Army Ten Miler last year and there were quite a number of wounded warriors running. It completely blew me away.

truman

One of the guys we rode with the first year climbed onto a handcycle for the first time on Thursday, then cranked out 75 miles in blistering sun over the next 3 days.

He did it with one hand - he's missing both legs above the knee and his left arm above the elbow. Where do we find such men?

flip18436572

Thanks for the pictures and the report.

gapwedge

My pleasure.

BigPolishJimmy

I'm going to have to second this. I never served, but I have nothing but respect for those that have, whether they volunteered or otherwise. You have my gratitude.

DanoC

A great cause for some Great men and women! My hat is off for all you have given. This war and all the others, thanks for serving.

Mr. Beanz

Very Cool!

SmokeDiver

What an awesome ride! I'm really diggin that jersey design too!

funrover 

Very cool!