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Arriving in Lubbock today, wounded warriors have collectively cycled more than 2,100 miles in 19 days for Soldier Ride Across America, a cross-country adaptive cycling ride to raise awareness for veteran issues. The ride commemorates the 15-year anniversary of Long Island native and veteran supporter Chris Carney’s historic coast-to-coast cycling venture in support of wounded warriors, which spurred the creation of the Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) Soldier Ride® program.
Soldier Ride Across America unites wounded warriors and helps them redefine personal strengths. It rekindles the battle buddy mentality that is so crucial in military service.
The ride is broken between three teams representing the U.S. East Coast, Central, and West Coast regions. The East Coast team began at One World Trade Center in New York City on Sept. 8 and handed the ride over to the Central team in Louisville, Kentucky on Sept. 17. In Lubbock, Texas, the Central team swapped control with the West Coast team, who will head toward San Diego, California for the finish at Hospitality Point Park on Sunday, Oct. 7.
SOLDIER RIDE ACROSS AMERICA HIGHLIGHTS
Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project has been a tireless advocate for our nation’s finest, improving the lives of over half a million warriors and their families.
Soldier Ride Across America commemorates the 15-year anniversary of Chris Carney’s historic coast-to-coast trek in support of injured veterans, which spurred the creation of Wounded Warrior Project’s Soldier Ride program.
Soldier Ride Across America consists of 36 warriors, broken into three teams to represent the U.S. East Coast, Central, and West Coast regions.
Soldier Ride Across America kicked off in Manhattan on Sept. 8. Warriors visit numerous cities on the cross-country journey – including Washington, DC; Somerset, Pennsylvania; Louisville, Kentucky; Nashville, Tennessee; Little Rock, Arkansas; Lubbock, Texas; and Las Cruses, NM; and Tucson, Arizona – all before ending just outside San Diego, California, on Oct. 8.
Soldier Ride Across America covers close to 3,300 miles – with each team riding about 1,000 miles.
BACKGROUND
WWP is transforming the way America’s injured veterans are empowered, employed, and engaged in our communities. Soldier Ride® is one of Wounded Warrior Project’s most iconic events. It began in 2004 when Long Island native Chris Carney cycled more than 5,000 miles coast-to-coast to help raise awareness for injured veterans after hearing the story of John Fernandez, an Army veteran who lost both legs during combat. The following year, several combat warriors who returned from Operation Enduring Freedom with visible and invisible injuries joined Chris for another cross-country ride. This trek across the nation redefined personal strengths and limitations. Despite many obstacles, the group of warriors refused to give up – using the experience as a catalyst to show the public and themselves that with support and motivation, anything is possible.
Today, Soldier Ride continues to inspire warriors and help them find their next mission in life – a healthy recovery and successful transition to life after injury. Soldier Ride uses adaptive cycling technology to help wounded veterans redefine their limitations and become well-adjusted in mind and body, receiving the care they need to maximize recovery and live active and healthy lives. So far this year, more than 1,200 riders participated in more than 30 Soldier Ride events nationwide.
MEDIA CONTACT: VESTA M. ANDERSON, WWP PUBLIC RELATIONS SPECIALIST
904-570-0771 | vanderson@woundedwarriorproject.org
About Wounded Warrior Project
Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers – helping them achieve their highest ambition. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), top rated by Charity Navigator, and holding a GuideStar Platinum rating. To get involved and learn how WWP connects, serves, and empowers, visit http://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/about-us.
