The best of the best who served our country, paid a dear price and shine on (not necessarily in the correct order) in Veteran's weekend Soldier Ride.Charlie Bailey who lost his left eye in Iraq and has been home a year. He still serves in the Army at Fort Huachucha, Arizona.
Clay Taylor who lost his left leg in a helicopter crash on August 12, 2005.
Kelly Bruno suffered a birth defect and lost her leg at six months. She serves Wounded Warriors through the Ranger Up program. She holds the world record in the Iron Man contest for female amputee for all ages.
Cedric Pippin with multiple injuries from IED explosion has been home for two months. He plans to enroll in college to get a business degree. And yes, he's Scotty Pippin's nephew.
Mark Leonard with 21 years in the Air Force.
Fain Grogg sustained a spinal cord injury and paralysis in Desert Storm. He lives and works in Johnson City, TN at the Veterans Administration.
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Patriotic Guard Riders, not politically correct men on motorcycles who provide escorts and protection for injured and fallen soliders:
Steve Feril, Franklin, TN and Rick Burkey, Columbia, TN
God bless you all, and bless the United States. It simply doesn't get any better than events like this. And beautiful day to boot!
Jane,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your support and dedication to our soldiers, especially wounded. It means so much to me and all of us that have served, especially around Veteran's Day. Keep up the good word and good work!
If someone is looking for true inspiration for any trial or tribulation in their life, they need look no further than an event like this.
ReplyDeleteThe sincere thanks is all mine to these men and women patriots.
I would like to personally thank all the fine people in Nashville and Franklin who came out to support our ride. It was a great day to be a veteran and an American. I am blessed to have the best job in the country as I get to ride with these heroic men and women every month.
ReplyDeleteBTW, Kelly Bruno is sponsored by "Ranger Up" who also donate proceeds from their t-shirt sales to the Wounded Warrior Project.
I am already looking forward to next year. Please keep an eye on www.soldierride.org for more information and pictures.
Thank you,
Woody Groton
Soldier Ride National Tour Director
Wounded Warrior Project
Veteran of
Operation Desert Shield/Storm 1990-91
Operation Urgent Fury (Grenada) 1983
Woody,
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting. You do have one of the world's best jobs! What an inspiration working with these fine men and women.
And thanks for clarifying that Kelly works with Ranger Up rather than Ranger Op...now I see why I couldn't find it when I googled it. Will do it again and find the correct link.
And best wishes to you....see you next year!
all best, Jane
Dear JANE,
ReplyDeleteThank you for everything you did personally to bring new meaning to Veterans Day - flying your flag, attending a parade, tying a purple ribbon to your car.
Thank you for helping Wounded Warrior Project promote public service announcements and ads for TV, radio, and newspapers. Media outlets across America ran them free of charge, boosting awareness of Veterans Day to new heights.
Thank you for helping WWP bring the message of Veterans Day to college football games and the National Football League.
Thank you for supporting all the WWP Soldier Ride events that put wounded warriors on wheels, bicycling the Veterans Day message through communities across the country.
Thank you. Your support made it possible for WWP to open its new Sacrifice Center in Jacksonville, Florida, during Veterans Day week. Now, we're telling our youth - and all of America - what it takes to keep our nation free.
Thank you. Because no one deserves a good job more than a hero wounded in the service of our country, WWP launched its new Warriors 2 Work program just two days before Veterans Day.
Finally, thank you for honoring America's heroes all year round through Wounded Warrior Project programs made possible by your generous gifts. Because of you, the spirit of Veterans Day lives on all year.
Thank you for answering the call this Veterans Day!
John Melia, Executive Director
Wounded Warrior Project