“This Nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” ~Elmer Davis
The brave men and women of our Armed Forces spend every waking moment making sure we don’t lose our nation’s freedom. But freedom does not come FREE! Some of these men and women sacrifice an arm or a leg for us. Sometimes they sacrifice both legs. What about the soldier that suffers a traumatic back injury or the combat veteran who is perpetually plagued by Post Traumatic Stress? What are we doing to help them and thank them for all that they gave up protecting us?
Meet some real Americans who served in our Armed Forces. They don’t consider themselves heroes. They were just doing their job, but they ARE heroes because of what they sacrificed while protecting our freedom.
Greg Amira
On Sept. 11, 2001, US Army Captain Greg Amira worked as a vice president for Morgan Stanley on the 73rd floor of No.2 World Trade Center. When the airplanes hit the Twin Towers in NYC, Greg became trapped and buried in the rubble as he was helping evacuate victims. When he regained consciousness in the hospital after his rescue, he learned he was one of the few survivors pulled from that area of the building. Four years later, Greg was deployed to Iraq as part of the US Army Special Operations Command. Capt. Amira suffered severe head, neck and back injuries while rescuing fellow platoon members after an attack. He spent 13 months in the Womack Medical Center in Fort Bragg, NC rehabilitating from his injuries. Capt. Amira plans to ride with us in September 2011 for the 9/11 American Challenge on a specially designed recumbent bike.
Patrick Zeigler
After returning from his second tour in Iraq, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Patrick Zeigler was in the Soldier Readiness Center in Fort Hood, TX when a gunman opened fire inside killing 13 people and injuring 31 others. Patrick was shot four times including once in the head that shattered part of his skull. He has undergone six brain surgeries and over 16 months of rehabilitation. To assist with the rehab of this determined soldier, Ride 2 Recovery designed and built a custom adaptive bicycle for Patrick which they named Project Z. This winter, Extreme Makeover Home Edition built a custom accessible home for Patrick and his new wife, Jessica. Ride 2 Recovery participated in this project and built a second Project Z bike to be used in Patrick’s indoor therapy room in his new home. Staff Sgt. Zeigler’s goal is to participate in Ride 2 Recovery’s Texas Challenge in April 2011.
Delvin McMillan
Delvin McMillan sacrificed both of his arms and his legs while serving his country. In 2001, Delvin contracted the Hanta Virus while in the U.S. Air Force which attacked his circulatory system causing his lungs to collapse and his kidneys to fail. Because of this disease, both of his legs, one hand and part of his other hand had to be amputated. Delvin became Ride 2 Recovery’s first veteran with quadrilateral amputations to participate in a Challenge Ride. “No arms, no legs….no problem.” That was Ride 2 Recovery’s mission with Delvin to help him with his rehabilitation.
Cycling for Heroes believes everyone has the power to help. This is why we have committed to use our passion for cycling to raise money to help fund Ride 2 Recovery’s cycling rehabilitation program for wounded veterans. We are also spending hours and hours training to become support riders for their 9/11 American Challenge. We will cycle side by side these brave men and women and help them achieve their rehabilitation goals during this week long 500 mile trek.
You can help too!
Support us by donating to our project. Every dollar helps!
Spread the word to your friends, neighbors, and colleagues.
Follow us on our travels via this website or Facebook.
Thank every military person, active and retired, that you meet.
Let us make sure the brave men and women of our Armed Forces know their sacrifices were worth it!
