Tag Archives: wounded warriors

Ride 2 Recovery on NBC Nightly News

Posted on October 12, 2010 by | Leave a comment

After gathering for a group photo on Day Five, the cyclists pushed off from Pismo Beach and headed south for Solvang. The 70-mile ride culminated in a concert for the wounded warriors and 900 others, all of whom were entertained by Dennis Miller and Five for Fighting's John Ondrasik. (Photo courtesy of Ride 2 Recovery)

Our friends over at Ride 2 Recovery recently completed their 7-day ”Golden State Challenge.”  Approximately 200 cyclists – many wounded warriors – made the 463-mile road trip from San Francisco to Santa Monica in order to improve the health and wellness of injured veterans by providing a life changing experience that can impact their lives forever.

“There were so many points where I wanted to quit, but you see the person next to you or in front of you and they are pushing you, they are handing you water … they don’t let you quit,” Percy Banks, a Van Nuys resident and Navy veteran, told the Los Angeles Daily News.

“You just get this great feeling when you’re riding with your fellow veterans, you’re relaxing on your bike with the scenery … everybody is talking and telling stories,” Adam Volchok said in the same interview.

Volchok, an Army medic who was stationed in Afghanistan from 2002 through 2003, was one of more than 200 injured military veterans who participated in the ride that took cyclists from the coast of San Francisco to Santa Monica in seven days.

Sporting slightly sun-burned cheeks, Volchok admitted the ride presented him with one of the biggest challenges he’d ever had, especially as he tried to make his way through the hills of Big Sur during a 93-mile leg of the ride.

But the 30-year-old said as he neared the end of the ride, he felt like he could go for another 60 miles.  ”This was a great way to end this amazing, challenging, inspiring ride,” said Chatsworth resident Adam Volchok.

The “Golden State Challenge” was featured NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams a few days ago.  Check it out!

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General Myers Shows his Support as Give Back 10 Builds Momentum!

Posted on October 11, 2010 by | Leave a comment

He’s the chairman-elect of the USO Board of Governors and now General Richard B. Myers (USAF, ret.), is also helping us kick off Give Back 10.  Learn more about this groundbreaking initiative to support our wounded warriors…and learn how YOU can be a part of it!

 

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Rehabbing with the Troops: Wounded Warrior Arena Wraps Season 1!

Posted on September 23, 2010 by | 1 Comment

Season 1 of the 10-week rehabilitation program culminated with the final workout and a trip to the New Orleans Saints’ preseason home opening game at the Louisiana Superdome, where the warriors were honored with an on-field tribute from the Saints prior to the game and had the opportunity to meet Saints players after watching the pre-game warm-up. (Photo courtesy RWTT Facebook page)

A few months back we introduced to you Rehabbing with the Troops: Wounded Warrior Arena, a groundbreaking program from our friends at Pro vs. GI Joe.  The goal of RWTT is to create a virtual community, called the Wounded Warrior Arena, in which warriors find common ground and build mutual understanding as they improve both their physical rehabilitation and emotional well-being.

But if you think this is just another day in front of the TV, think again! Professional athletes serve as “trainers” for intense workouts on Wii; Season 1′s pro trainers are the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints.  This year’s first Season ran from June 10th to August 21st, with each warrior being required to complete a minimum of two workouts per week for 10 weeks.  You catch watch a video below that show a recap of the last workout!

Twenty-one wounded warriors—including Army veteran J. R. Martinez, actor in Emmy-Award-winning drama “All My Children”—gathered at the New Orleans Marriott on August 21 to perform the last workout of Rehabbing with the Troops’ inaugural season. (Photo courtesy of RWTT Facebook page)

“I get up every day, and Rehabbing with the Troops is my job,” said wounded warrior and Air Force veteran Wayne “Tom” Marcum, in a tearful description of how the program has affected his life. “It’s given me a chance to rebuild my life, learn how to communicate again with my wife and sons, and become friends with warriors who face the same struggles that I do.”

Even though Season 1 has ended, that community of support will continue for many of the participants, including Marcum, who will return as a coach for Season Two, which launches on Veteran’s Day.  This time the warriors will match up with the San Diego Chargers and Washington Redskins.  We’ll follow along and bring you the exciting conclusion at the Armed Forces Bowl on December 30!

Pro vs. GI Joe created Rehabbing with the Troops in partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project and the USO; RWTT is sponsored by Armed Forces Insurance.

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Pentagon Announces Second Warrior Games

Posted on September 21, 2010 by | 3 Comments

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, announces the second annual Warrior Games to be held in Colorado Springs, Colo., in May 2011. Mullen addressed the media at the Pentagon on Sept. 20, 2010. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley)

The Pentagon announced yesterday that the second annual Warrior Games are scheduled to be held May 16 through May 21, 2011, at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Again hosted by the U.S. Olympic Committee, the games will include shooting, swimming, archery, track and field, cycling, sitting volleyball, and wheelchair basketball.

“When the focus is on ability rather than disability, we see that physical fitness and sports can have a healing affect on the mind, body and soul,” Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, said Monday at the Pentagon.  You can read Adm. Mullen full statement on the games at DoD Live.

From a pool of more than 9,000 active-duty soldiers recovering in Warrior Transition Units, the Army will choose 100 competitors to represent it in the games. The Marine Corps will send 50 competitors and the Air Force will send 25. The Coast Guard and Navy will combine to send 25 rounding out the 200-competitor roster.

Click through to read the full American Forces Press Service story. And read about last year’s games from On Patrol Magazine and the On the Frontlines blog.

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Great Lakes Challenge Makes a Strong Finish at the Legion Convention

Posted on August 30, 2010 by | Leave a comment

With a flatter course than yesterday and everyone excited about the Packer's game, Day 4 was a fast day in the saddle. The group made it all the way to Lambeau Field in under 5 1/2 hours of riding time! (Photo courtesy of Ride 2 Recovery Facebook page)

Wounded cyclists, and others who joined them in support, traveled from Wasau to Green Bay to Sheboygen and – finally – to Milwaukee for the second half of Ride 2 Recovery’s “Great Lakes Challenge.” As usual, riders new and experienced shared powerful stories of healing and transformation through the experience.

As reported by the Green Bay Press Gazette: “Rider Jen Dreizehn, a 15-year military veteran, has not only been riding with her biking family, but also seeing her real family in her first trip back to Wisconsin over that time. Her family cheered her along at several stops on Thursday and planned to attend the Green Bay Packers game with her.

The Shawano native, who grew up in Mountain, is stationed with the Warrior Transition Unit at Fort Eustis, Va.  ’I haven’t ridden a bike since I was 12 years old, so this has just been great and a real challenge,’ Dreizehn said. ‘Challenge is definitely the word to use. I’m really glad I did it.’”

The final day of the Great Lakes Challenge saw the cyclists heading into Milwaukee, and then riding in the American Legion parade. (Photo courtesy of Ride 2 Recovery Facebook page)

The final day of the ride was especially poignant, as the group greeted attendees at the The 92nd Annual American Legion National Convention and later participated in a parade.  Marty Callahan reported the following: “About 50 cyclists – veterans and servicemembers – arrived in Milwaukee Aug. 28 at The American Legion National Convention, completing a six-day, 426-mile journey from Minneapolis. The cyclists are part of the national Ride 2 Recovery program that helps veterans overcome their wounds and inspire others to do the same.

‘This kind of event does tremendous things for the mental and physical rehabilitation of the wounded warriors,’ said John Wordin, founder and president of Ride 2 Recovery. ‘Whatever kind of injury they may have – amputations, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, PTSD – cycling helps them to recover. Events like this create such a bond and camaraderie – it’s a great group therapy session.’”

Click here to watch as the cyclists enter the convention, and check out a great video clip from WLUK-TV below!

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“Aftermath” – Our Public Service Announcement in Support of Wounded Warriors

Posted on August 19, 2010 by | 2 Comments

At the USO, we’re proud to bring you our award-winning series of Public Service Announcements on a regular basis.  Our latest addition is one that is especially close to our hearts, as it demonstrates the USO’s ongoing commitment to wounded warriors and their families.

We hope this PSA really resonates with you and encourage you to share it with friends and family.  In addition, you can visit www.uso.org today to leave a message of support for our wounded warriors…

Aftermath PSA, posted with vodpod

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