Veterans bike across America

  • Published
  • By Heidi Hunt
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Five military veterans from the Long Road Home Project, who have made it their mission to bike more than 4,200 miles across the country, made a stop here, Sept. 4-6.

During their stay at Whiteman, veterans Marie Tracy, Glenn Isaac Fretz, Ryan Creel, Colleen Bushnell and Steve Taylor, were afforded the opportunity to see Team Whiteman in action, tour the base, and view the B-2 Spirit.

"Since 2010, I have used cycling as a form of therapy and aim to inspire others with post-traumatic stress disorder to overcome challenges via exercise and peer-to-peer camaraderie," said Creel, retired staff sergeant, who served as an U.S. Army combat photographer during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

The ride began July 15, in Ocean City, Wash., and is scheduled to conclude Oct. 14, in Alexandria, Va. Thus far they have spent 55-days peddling across America and plan to complete 90-days of travel by the time they cross the finish line.

The Long Road Home Project was started by Casey Miller as a way to help veterans with their transitions back to civilian life. While the LRHP's overall goal is to ride to heal war wounds and raise money to help war veterans, each participant rides with an individual purpose as well.

"The first goal is to let the road heal for my veteran participants," said Miller. "Each is riding for their own reasons and letting the road help in that healing process. Secondarily, we're trying to raise awareness for veterans' issues ... We want to make people aware of those different things veterans face as they come home."

The former service members include diverse ages, ethnicities, religious backgrounds, political affiliations, sexual identities and physical abilities.

"The disabled veterans are bringing awareness to the American people of the challenges facing our brothers and sisters in arms who have and are returning from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan," said retired Chief Master Sgt. Mark Clark and project officer.

As they travel across the nation, the five riders and two support staff are sleeping in an RV and using facilities at camp grounds and such along the way.

"Since Whiteman, and the large veteran community in the greater Kansas City, Mo., area are known for their hospitality, I took it upon myself to work with Chief Master Sgt. Lee Barr, 509th Bomb Wing Command Chief, and made arrangements to let the veterans sleep in a real bed, take a real shower and relax during their stay [here]," said Clark.

Financial donations were provided courtesy of the Air Force Sergeant Association Chapter 804, American Legion Post 21, American Legion Riders, Chapter 21, Whiteman Chiefs Group, Whiteman Top Three, First Sergeant Council, Whiteman Tier II and together they were able to cover their room costs.

"Team Whiteman was thrilled to host these veterans participating in the Long Road Home Project," said Barr. "Their dedication to bringing national awareness to wounded veterans is noble and honorable. As they ride bicycles across our great Nation, I trust Americans will come out in mass to support this exceptional cause."

For more information, or to donate to the Long Road Home Project, visit www.longroadhomeproject.com.