Wounded Warrior Project raises money for injured vets
By Mark Kelly
Special to Inside
A small gathering of Chicago residents and military veterans turned out on Wednesday, June 29, to greet a group of cross country bicycle riders — some wounded in battle — hoping to raise both awareness and funds for wounded service members.
The Soldier Ride National Tour Team, which is a part of the Wounded Warrior Project and includes wounded veterans among its riders, made an overnight stop in Chicago on its Los Angeles-to-New York trek. The gathering took place at the Daley Plaza and the riders were greeted by Lt. Governor Quinn. Mayor Richard M. Daley also issued a proclamation welcoming the veterans to the city. The riders then biked to the Jesse Brown Veterans Administration Medical Center with a police escort, where the Jesse Brown VA Gospel Choir delivered a special performance in honor of the riders.
"I came down here today to support the soldiers riding out to the East Coast," said Mike Ryan, who was at the Daley Plaza and who is with the American Veterans Motorcycle Association. "I’ve been there so I understand what they are going through." As a veteran of Vietnam and Desert Storm, he can remember some of the difficulties military people in those wars faced. "When Illinois is ranked 50th in the country for benefits, compensation and pensions through the VA, there is something wrong," he added.
Regardless of your feelings about the war, you cannot help but feel that what these soldiers have achieved is remarkable, said Chicago resident Nicole Smith, who was also present for the event. "Traveling across America on a bicycle is a long hard journey for anybody but would be far more difficult for someone who has lost a limb."
Many Iraq veterans were eager to speak about why they got involved with the Wounded Warrior Project, their feelings on the war and how everyday people can help. Kenny Lukes is one of the wounded veterans taking part in this year's ride. Lukes comes from a large family with seven sisters and no brothers. He is 30 years old and has served for 10 years in the army. On Nov. 1, 2004, while on routine patrol in Afghanistan, Lukes was hit by an RPG. "It took my arm clean off," he said. Having since recovered from these injuries, Lukes decided to get involved with the Wounded Warrior Project, so that he could help out veterans in similar positions.
Apart from raising funds the ride is also intended to raise awareness about the difficult financial situations that injured soldiers can find themselves in. "I think the government could do a whole lot more than what they are doing right now. This is a non profit organization that is helping out but I think it’s the government's job to look after its vets," said Lukes. He added that he is extremely happy to be going on the ride and that he is having loads of fun on it. His favorite part of the trip has been "just hanging out with vets and people who care about vets."
Soldier Ride was formed by a group of people from East Hampton, NY, who came together to show their support for the members of the armed forces. In 2004 one of their members, Chris Carney, cycled across America to raise money and awareness for The Wounded Warrior Project. "I basically got involved with this on a local level just trying to help a soldier who lost a leg in Iraq," said Carney. He is very passionate about helping wounded soldiers. After getting involved with WWP Carney was invited to go to Walter Reed Hospital to meet some of the injured soldiers. "Once the elevator doors open your heart drops into your stomach and you just want to do more," he explained.
The aim of Soldier Ride is to raise as much in donations as possible in order to help the injured soldiers coming out of Iraq every day. "The government currently only pays for one family member to visit the Hospital every six months and that is hardly an optimal support system," says Carney.
The WWP basically helps in three ways. First, it provides injured soldiers with a backpack of comfort items and things that are needed for a long-term hospital stay. "What people don’t realize is that when a soldier goes to the hospital he has nothing but the bloody shirt that is on his back." The second way in which it helps is through providing counselors who help contact relatives. Finally, the WWP offers career and benefits counseling.
This program relies on donations from everyday Americans and unfortunately there has been a tremendous decrease in them over the past year. "I think what I'd like to stress more than anything is that we need donations. I hear thoughts and prayers all the time, but even with a nation of thoughts and prayers, these guys will still be sitting in the hospital," said Carney. "People tend to think that because the war is 'over' there is less of a need for donations, but there have been more wounded this year than last year. What we really need is for the American people to step up and put their money where their mouths are."
To make a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project or to Soldier Ride 2005, visit www.soldierride.com. |
