WELCOME, WARRIORS: SOLDIER RIDE RETURNS TO THE FLORIDA KEYS - Jan 7/8th 2022

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WELCOME, WARRIORS: SOLDIER RIDE RETURNS TO THE FLORIDA KEYS Florida Keys Weekly

They’re back and they need support as only the people of the Florida Keys can provide.

After a year’s hiatus due to COVID, Wounded Warrior Project’s Soldier Ride returns to the island chain this weekend, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 7 and 8.

Forty-one wounded military warriors will ride through the Upper, Middle and Lower Keys for three legs of a ride. Some ride traditional bikes, while others use adaptive bikes, such as hand-powered cycles, recumbent bikes, tricycles and hybrid bikes, to accommodate various injuries endured in combat.

All Wounded Warrior Project events, including the Soldier Rides, are entirely free for the warriors.

“Here in the Florida Keys, we come out to cheer the riders on like nowhere else. It’s so inspiring to see these men and women reclaim their confidence and strength, both mental and physical,” said Cathy Crane, director of Monroe County Veterans Affairs, who organizes the Soldier Ride in the Florida Keys. “These men and women have all been wounded in conflict. Some of their injuries are visible and others are invisible, when we’re talking about traumatic brain injuries or post-traumatic stress disorder and other injuries.”

Crane encourages all Keys residents, visitors and schoolchildren to line U.S. 1 when the ride is coming through their section of the Keys.

“We wave flags, wear red, white and blue and just give them moral support that means the world to them as they ride 10 to 17 miles in each leg,” Crane said. “And they love seeing their Supporters. They’ll reach out and high-five people as they’re passing by. It’s an amazing feeling for everyone involved.”

And so many groups and organizations are eager to be involved with the event in the Keys, Crane said.

“This is the 10th year that Key West’s Military Affairs Committee, the City of Key West and Monroe County have all worked together on the Soldier Ride,” Crane said. “It’s the 16th year that Soldier Ride is visiting the Keys.”

Government, law enforcement, veterans groups, fire and rescue services, civilians, schools and a host of other groups and individuals all volunteer to make the ride comfortable, memorable and healing for its participants.

“Warriors never ride alone; they move forward together, as a unit, just as they did during their military service,” states the Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride website. “Soldier Ride empowers warriors to find ...

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Dang that looks awesome, as a fellow veteran I wish I could participate!

 

Wow! That's awesome.