Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Leticia Samuels | Service members from the Army to the Marine Corps, civilians, combat injured veterans...... read more read more
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RALEIGH, N.C. – Service members from the Army to the Marine Corps, civilians, combat injured veterans and police officers rallied at the start line to begin their bicycle journey to Carolina Beach in support of the second annual Guard 2 Beach Ride at Joint Force Headquarters from May 20 to 21, 2016.
Guard 2 Beach is open to the public and is designed to spread Guard awareness across the state and motivate injured veterans to participate in a physical sport. This also gives riders an opportunity to cultivate relationships with other wounded veterans from every branch and the community.
“This is a matter of giving back,” said Christa Long, a 10-year cyclist and law enforcement officer. “They obviously put their lives on the line for our country, so it’s an honor to ride with them, associate with them, talk to them and hear their story.”
The Warrior Ride, a nonprofit organization for wounded veterans, founded by 26-year veteran Bob Racine, also joined and supported the 150-mile ride.
“The Warrior Ride itself is set up for recreational rehabilitation and a form of bonding and camaraderie,” said Racine. “We try to make a difference in their lives and we help them redefine their lives. A lot of them probably didn’t ride bikes for 5 or 10 years, but they found something that there heart desired and they worked at it and now here they are.”
Some riders are unable to ride on upright bicycles so they have an alternative method of cycling using incumbent bicycles. Adaptive cycling challenges veterans and still gives them a way to enjoy physical activities.
“Physical activity and exercise have a direct correlation with mental health,” said Staff Sgt. Chris Brophy, the training noncommissioned officer assigned to the 1st Battalion, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Armored Combat Brigade Team. “The more stagnant a person is, the worse it gets. If you break that cycle and get somebody physically active, the endorphins that are released in your brain when you’re exercising, it has an amazing effect on your mental health!”
The event started with an opening ceremony where guest speakers spoke words of encouragement and gave thanks for their service. Once guest speakers finished; spectators, riders, veterans, and guardsmen stood with their hands over their hearts or at the position of attention during the playing of the national anthem.
Riders crossed the start line at JFHQ, rode through Cary, into Apex and finishing the 75-mile leg at the National Guard armory in Roseboro and concluded the evening with a barbecue and festive games. The success of the last year’s inaugural Guard 2 Beach Ride brought a lot of returning riders to participate but doubled the newcomers.
“I saw an advertisement for the event, and when it tied together the National Guard and wounded warriors, I knew I had to be apart of it,” said Tammy Parham, the regional vice president for Neff Rental Company. “My father was a retired Command Sgt. Major in the North Carolina National Guard. We are a Guard family, so when I saw that I knew I had to be apart of that.”
The second day of the race, riders not only battled fatigue but the rain as well. This didn’t stop the groups from persevering through the 82-mile ride toward Carolina Beach.
“It’s amazing what people will push beyond, whether it’s an amputee or whether it’s Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or whatever the issue,” said Long. “It’s a great cause.”
At the last 10 miles of the race, riders met their law enforcement escort guiding them through downtown Wilmington. Citizens and onlookers waved as they watched the swarm of riders stay in sync with their police escorts. Families waited anxiously in the parking lot at the Carolina Beach armory, applauding when riders arrived and chatted about the race amongst each other over a final barbecue dinner.
"It was another great opportunity to tell our story across the state and help create another bonding opportunity for all," said Maj. Joel Eberly, 42nd Civil Support Team commander and Guard 2 Beach director.
| Date Taken: | 05.20.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 05.27.2016 14:10 |
| Story ID: | 199318 |
| Location: | NC, US |
| Web Views: | 380 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, NCNG: Using Cycling to Combat Injuries, by SFC Leticia Samuels, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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