Hal, Jacob and I had the privilege of joining wounded soldiers from across the country for Soldier Ride Honky Tonk Challenge 2008. Hal wants me to write a few short paragraphs about our trip but I can not just recite places and events. This ride is much more than that. - Julie Honeyman

Soldier Ride Honky Tonk Challenge 2008

 

They came from all corners of the U.S., missing limbs, bearing deep scars that damaged muscles and tendons, with traumatic brain injury. Some were young single men and women. Some were newly married with young children. One guest rider, a retired soldier, celebrated his 51^st birthday on the ride. Some soldiers had been living with their injuries for a while. Others struggle to recreate a life in the new bodies they were recently given. All brought the most amazing spirit to this ride.

 

We started our ride in Little Rock, Arkansas, in a steady rain. Not one person expressed a desire to back out because of the weather. We rode across the Big Dam Bridge, the longest expanse of pedestrian walkway in the U.S. The Big Dam Bridge is 4226 feet long and sits 90 feet above the Arkansas River. What a rush to cross in the wind and rain! After crossing the Big Dam Bridge (OK, I admit. I love to say that) the rain let up and the sun came out. As we rode up the long steep hills into Camp Robinson US Reserves training base we were greeted by cheers of encouragement from military personnel in uniform lining both sides of the road. One of the wounded soldiers riding up those hills rode an upright bicycle pedaling with one leg, having lost a leg in combat. She is an amazing athlete. Competing in the Beijing Para Olympics, she carried the flag for the United States. It was an honor to ride with her. It was an honor to ride with all the soldiers. They keep me humble. Some awesome downhills brought us to the William Clinton Library in downtown Little Rock where we met with several Arkansas dignitaries and had a picnic lunch. After lunch it was time to pack up the bikes and drive into Memphis, Tennessee.

 

Along our routes, we were greeted again and again with kindness, hospitality and patriotism. The Little Rock Daughters of the American Revolution are an amazing group of women. They came out in the rain dressed in red, white and blue, handed out flags and enthusiastically cheered us on. We ran into groups of women several times along the route before I realized that it was the same group of women. They leapfrogged along the entire 25 miles cheering us at yet another corner, never letting the rain dampen their enthusiasm.

 

In Memphis we ended our 22 mile ride at the Macon-Hall elementary school where about 500 school children came out to cheer, wave flags, sing songs and say Thank You to the soldiers. I had ridden with men that day who were feeling the effect of an accumulated 47 miles of riding, who were bone tired when they arrived at the school. The outpouring of love and gratitude from these school children was like a magic potion that revived them all. How rewarding to watch the soldiers walking among the school children, grinning ear to ear, receiving revitalizing hugs. The school children also presented a check for over $2000 from pennies collected for Wounded Warrior Project. Worth every penny!

 

Our route outside of Nashville brought us through some of the most beautiful rolling hills covered by gracious old estates. We were joined by about 200 riders from area bike clubs. At the end of many long gated driveways, families stood waving flags and shouting out Thank You to the soldiers. Even though I'm sure many had Saturday soccer games or errands to run, not one person expressed impatience with our long rolling blockade.

 

I don't think I've ever been Ma'amed and Suggah'd more in my entire life...and I LOVED it. In true Southern Hospitality, we were embraced by the communities we rode through. Our final stop on our final day found us at a tail gate BBQ with the most delicious food I've ever eaten outdoors.

 

Soldier Ride wasn't all riding. We also had ribs at Rendevous in downtown Memphis and walked Beale Street absorbing the sound of a dozen different performers at once. We attended the Grand Old Opry where we saw big name Country singers and I watched proud as can be as the entire Grand Old Opry Theater gave "My Soldiers" a standing ovation. We found ourselves lost many times in the Opryland Hotel. As one soldier so hilariously put it, "Yeah, it's a nightmare for us TBIers".

 

If the symbol of the Wounded Warrier Project is one soldier in full gear carrying his wounded buddy out of harms way, the symbol of Soldier Ride should be the sight that I saw over and over again. Several of the soldiers riding recumbent trikes were still in rehab and this ride was one of the most ambitious events they'd done since their injuries. New to their injuries and new to cycling, several struggled up some of the hills we encountered on all three days of the ride. Repeatedly I watched as one soldier rode up alongside one of the struggling cyclists, leaned down and grabbed the back of the bike seat. Another soldier gently rode up and placed his hand on the small of the back of that cyclist to support him and the trio together in perfect teamwork conquered that hill. True to their word, no soldier is ever left behind.

 

After driving in Nashville traffic, I grumbled about the driving habits of other motorists. One soldier said quietly, "I haven't driven in over a year." He wasn't feeling sorry for himself. He was just stating a fact. This quiet statement hit me hard. This group of men and women has given up so much of the simple freedoms that we take for granted. One thing I learned from my three days with these amazing soldiers was that it's not about my beliefs about this war. It's about my responsibility as a U.S. citizen to support those who have sacrificed so much for what THEY believe in. Yes, Sal, build that bridge and get over it. You all ARE our heroes.

 

And, if you didn't hear it enough over those three days, THANK YOU!