Road 2 Recovery Day One

See below.  Please pass this information on to the American Legion Family.
Thank you!

Diana King
Department of Texas
VA&R Chairman

Subject
Day 1 San Antonio to San Marcos- A Day in the Sun 

You can also follow the ride by joining our Facebook Road 2 Recovery group.
You can read the blog on Bighollywood.brietbart.com

The day got off to a great start as the weather was great with sunny skies
and temps in the mid 80's as a tailwind blew the R2R group all the way 55
miles to San Marcos. After a quick ride briefing and ceremony where Chad
was presented with a special bike that Cowboy legend Roger Staubach
autographed for him, it is neat to see grown men brought to tears....

The guys and gals also got geared up, can't say enough about all of the
support this program receives from our partners....Jersey's, socks, arm
warmers, glasses, the all important Chamois butt'r, and T-shirts, soon we
were off............

Each of the R2R events has it own character and brand. Texas is the land of
BIG. Big country, Big hair, Big personalities, and Big Stars.....

Travis heading down the road

The Texas Challenge features 7 hand cycle riders that are certainly big
stars. It is the first event we have done with such a big presence and we
were not sure what to expect. These guys have been preparing for the ride
to Arlington for some months. Thru a program supported by a local
foundation, Operation Comfort, the warriors showed unbelievable courage as
almost all of them made the entire 55 mile ride to San Marcos with 2 of
them in the 2nd group on the road.

Made it all the way

The Texas ride also features some new riders to the program, Actor Adam
Baldwin, CNN contributor Steve Hayes, and even a General...David
Blackledge.

In February of 2004, Major General Blackledge’s convoy was ambushed in
Iraq. The interpreter, who was sitting next to him, was shot through the
head. Taking fire, the vehicle rolled. But the survivors were able to
escape. He sustained a broken back and ribs, with other injuries requiring
eleven months of recovery and physical therapy.

Fifteen months after the ambush, Major General Blackledge was deployed back
to Iraq. While in Amman, Jordan for meetings, he was in one of three
popular hotels that were struck by terrorist bombs. The explosions killed
over 55 people and injured over 110. He suffered a neck injury.

Major General Blackledge has demonstrated his courage during three combat
tours (he also fought in the Persian Gulf War). He has been awarded five
Bronze Star Medals as well as the two Purple Hearts he received for combat
injuries.

The American Legion Auxiliary did their usual great job with dinner
tonight. several community groups put on quite a feast including San Marcos
Mayor Susan Narvaiz, who will also be on hand tomorrow to cheer on the
riders and the city will put on a show of force with their police leading
the group thru town. It was great to see Chad interviewed as he was still
beaming from the gift of his new bike....

It's on to Austin.......

Regards,
John Wordin
Executive Director
Road 2 Recovery
Making a Difference in the Lives of Wounded Warriors
www.TheRoad2Recovery.org

Supporters include American Legion Auxiliary, USO, Star Trac, VFW, Otis
Spunkmeyer, Sunkist, Giant Bicycles, League of American Bicyclists,
Operation Rebound, American Legion Riders, Step Up 4 Vets, California
American Legion, Coca-Cola, Shimano, Veltec Sports, Hincapie Sports,
Alternative Vehicles, Hansen's, Clif Bar, Rudy Project, DeFeet, Park Tool,
Speedplay, ProMax, Chamois Butt'r, CytoSport, and Bicycling Magazine. R2R
is an America Supports You Homefront Group.