[caption id=“attachment_2783” align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“Riders gather on Fort Myer's Whipple Field for day one of the 2010 Ride 2 Recovery Memorial Challenge on May 31, 2010. (Ride 2 Recovery Photo by Dick Brock)”][/caption]
We’ve told you about Ride 2 Recovery before, but this week’s ride is really special. They began their ride on Memorial Day at Fort Myer’s Whipple Field, these wounded warriors. And along the 350-mile trek they’re being joined by special guest riders, including Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead, Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. George Casey Jr., and the USO’s own Sloan Gibson.
“I stepped on a land mine in Vietnam,” said Jim Penseyres to News Channel 8. Jim Penseyres returned from Vietnam without a leg. He transformed himself into an elite ultramarathon cyclist, who for the next several days will steer for Commander Scotty Smiley. “Oh, this is great. This is what I’ve waited 42 years to do,” shared Penseyres. “It’s a continual recovery process. I think every day we take one foot and step it in front of the other, that we are continuing in that recovery,” said Smiley.
<!–PARA13!–>Over the course of six days, the riders will travel through Mt. Vernon, Manassas, Richmond, and end their journey in Virginia Beach on Saturday. You can follow along at home, and even download GPS maps of their routes, by following Ride 2 Recovery’s Facebook page. Ride safe and strong, everyone!
We have more pictures below and be sure to check out this video of the ride:
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Every day, America’s service members selflessly put their lives on the line to keep us safe and free. Please take a moment to let our troops know how much we appreciate their service and sacrifice.