A 4,000-mile journey ended the last Saturday in July as military veterans rode their bicycles, hand cycles, and recumbents into San Clemente, and then into the Pacific Ocean. The occasion was the culmination of the 2006 Soldier Ride, an event that raises money and awareness for war veterans returning home with disabilities.

Begun in 2004, this year’s tour started May 6 in Montauk, N.Y., and ended July 29. Participants could choose to ride any or all of the 11 segments, averaging approximately 400 miles each, and taking about a week to complete. Two soldiers made the entire journey and led the bikers into San Clemente: Yegor Bondarenko and Andrew Biddle. Army Staff Sgt. Bondarenko is a Ukrainian who emigrated to the United States at the age of 17, and then joined the U.S. Army. Deployed to Iraq, he lost an arm to a roadside bomb. “Just because I lost an arm doesn’t mean I have to sit there and cry in a pillow all day,” he said. U.S. Army Sgt. Biddle returned from two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan safely. “I’m the only soldier here that was not injured,” he said, noting that there was a huge outpouring of support throughout the ride. “There’s a lot of compassion out there,” he said.

Joining the riders in a 49-mile segment from the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms to Palm Springs was actor Matthew Modine. Modine played Pvt. Joker in the 1987 production, “Full Metal Jacket.” Modine said of the riders, “They’ve been an inspiration to other servicemen.”

After their dip into the Pacific Ocean, the riders were officially welcomed by San Clemente Mayor Wayne Eggleston at Park Semper Fi. A beach party followed.

Funds raised through Soldier Ride benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project, providing adaptive sports programming and recreation events, as well as comfort items, counseling, and rehabilitation to aid in the transition from hospital bed to independent life.

Photos courtesy of Sandra Kiegiel

Novice golfer Noah Grove, 7, got some advice from EAGA Executive Director Bob Buck.

First Swing Golf Clinic

DS/USA once again teamed up with the Eastern Amputee Golf Association to offer an introductory golf clinic to Wounded Warriors, and others with disabilities in Maryland’s Montgomery County area. The Woodmont Country Club, Rockville, hosted nine people with disabilities, six family members, and six staffers on an extremely hot, sunny, and successful day. Golfers learned basic techniques, adaptive equipment, and put theory into practice on the driving range.

For more information on how to bring a First Swing clinic to your area visit www.eaga.org.

Photo by Heather Soto, Brooke Army Medical Center

Team River Runner Hosts Kayaking Events for Wounded Warriors

Team River Runner (TRR), based in Washington, D.C., hosted two events in the southwestern United States for Wounded Warriors. The first, A Learn to Kayak program, was held June 2 in San Antonio, Texas. Participants included nine Wounded Warriors from Brooke Army Medical Center, three family members, six therapists, and six staff/instructors. Instructors from Team River Runner, Virginia, and Red River Racing, Texas, guided the group through the beautiful San Marcus River.

Following the Texas event, TRR made its first kayaking trip to Colorado, and navigated the rapids of the Arkansas, Crystal, and Colorado Rivers. The crew included eight wounded veterans, the teenage son of one of the veterans, a Walter Reed Army Medical Center physical therapist, six volunteer instructors, and three additional volunteers who served as land support crew. The volunteer instructor crew included Jason Beakes, Ben Guska, and Dan Simenc, from the Wave Sport team.

The kayakers trained for most of the winter in the physical therapy pool at Walter Reed Army Hospital learning basic and advanced paddling strokes, safety training, and self-rescue. They also learned to “read” whitewater up to Class III. Class III whitewater has obstacles such as rocks, holes, and standing waves that require maneuvering the boat in the midst of a rapid. Reading is a term used by paddlers as they observe the river direction and current, understand the obstacles, and determine where to put in the boat.

Although the activity on the river was at times physically challenging, each participant also had plenty of time to relax and enjoy the scenery and the company of fellow paddlers.

For more information on Team River Runner, visit www.teamriverrunner.org.