U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) Commander Joins Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride

Photo By Sharilyn Wells | Maj. Gen. David N. Blackledge, commanding general of the U.S. Army civil affairs  

FORT BRAGG, NC, UNITED STATES

10.15.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. Sharilyn Wells 

U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne)

FORT BRAGG, N.C. Whether on two wheels or three, wounded veterans and their supporters took to the streets to participate in the Wounded Warriors Project's Soldier Ride Oct. 8. Maj. Gen. David N. Blackledge, commanding general of the U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), participated in the 20-mile ride through Fort Bragg.

"The thing I love about cycling and these kinds of events is it's all about camaraderie, which is what the military is all about," Blackledge said before the ride.

Led by the Fort Bragg Provost Marshal and military police, the ride began at Wilson Park on Fort Bragg and continued through major command areas around the post. A group photograph was taken by the iconic Iron Mike statue where non-cycling supporters cheered on the riders.

Retired Sgt. Daniel Smith participated in his first ride after breaking his back in 2006. Smith said that without the love and support from his wife, he wouldn't have the sense of accomplishment he felt following the ride.

Soldiers from several organizations on Fort Bragg participated in the five-day event. Soldiers traveled each day by bus to a different location including Raleigh and Charlotte where they met community leaders and supporters as they rode as much as 50 miles.

Blackledge, a twice-wounded combat veteran and advocate for Soldiers' mental health care, had no hesitation to participate in the Soldier Ride and is a supporter of cycling for wounded warriors. Blackledge was injured twice in Iraq as a brigadier general, once in 2004 when his convoy was ambushed and again 15 months later in a suicide bombing attack. Following his recovery, Blackledge was promoted to major general, and recently assumed command of USACAPOC(A) after working for two years as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Mobilization and Reserve Affairs at the Department of the Army headquarters in Washington, D.C.

"Whether you're a wounded warrior or a wounded warrior supporter, it's a great day and it's a great chance to work to together for a common cause," Blackledge said.

Soldier Ride is a program of the Wounded Warrior Project that provides rehabilitation opportunities to injured soldiers and raises the public's awareness of those that have been severely injured during military operations. The Wounded Warrior Project is a non-profit organization that aims to honor and empower wounded warriors, according to the organization's Web site.

"There are people every day that come back from these conflicts wounded, and we can't forget that," Wounded Warrior Project Alumni Director Ryan Koles following the race. "You can't let that get out of your memory whether you see it on the news or not. We'll be here for a very, very long time."

• Date Taken: 10.15.2009
• Date Posted: 10.20.2009 16:19
• Story ID: 40419
• Location: FORT BRAGG, NC, US