THE LONG RIDE HOME – Healing Heroes One Mile at a Time
Combat veteran and daughter on 10,000-mile motorcycle ride to support injured U.S. veterans and their families.
http://www.thelongridehome.org/
The Long Ride Home Arrives in Warrenton, VA
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
2:00 p.m. – Media Availability – Holiday Inn Express Conference Room, 410 Holiday Ct, Warrenton, VA 20186
3:00 p.m. – Last Leg of the Long Ride Home, down Main Street, Warrenton, VA
Many weeks ago, on Memorial Day, 2015, and thousands of miles ago, mom and daughter team Laurie Enright and Molly Michael set out on a 10,000+ mile cross-country motorcycle ride from Tempe, AZ, to Warrenton, VA, to raise awareness and funds for injured U.S. veterans. Laurie is a combat veteran who recently retired from the Air National Guard after 29 years of service.
The 10,000 mile ride benefits Boulder Crest Retreat for Military and Veteran Wellness in Bluemont, Virginia, a rural sanctuary that provides free accommodations, recreational and therapeutic activities/programs to help U.S. military and veteran personnel (and their families) recover and reconnect during their long journey of healing from physical and invisible wounds of war. The retreat is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is entirely funded through private donations from individuals, foundations and corporations.
United States Senator John McCain said, “I applaud Laurie and Molly’s efforts to help our wounded heroes recover from their wounds.”
“Fourteen years of combat has put many veterans in some very low places. We’ve had a lot of warriors come here saying it’s their last chance. I don’t believe that – whether it’s the first place they come, or the last, I am confident we can provide positive change in their lives,” says Ken Falke, Co-Founder of Boulder Crest Retreat and Navy veteran.
The Long Ride Home metaphorically reflects the long and often painful journeys veterans face from deployment, reintegration, physical and mental therapies, and challenges readapting to civilian life. “More than 30% of our veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. Over 52,000 have been wounded in action,” said Laurie Enright. “We are losing 22 veterans a day to suicide. These men and women and their families are a national treasure – they need and deserve our help.”
The goal is to raise $292,000 for Boulder Crest Retreat for Military and Veteran Wellness. Contributions to the non-profit will cover the expenses to operate four cabin facilities for military and veteran families for an entire year. To date, the mom and daughter team has raised over $30,000 for the retreat. The Medal of Honor sponsor is Veterans Services Management.
The 10,000 mile route wound through the United States, including Alaska, and portions of Canada, numerous U.S. Veterans hospitals and centers, sixteen National Parks, military and public safety memorials, finally concluding in Warrenton, Virginia. Over 400 flags have been donated to display along Main Street in honor of U.S. Military Veterans, and the ride will culminate at Molly’s Irish Pub in Warrenton at 3:10 pm via Warrenton Town Police escorts.
Donations, route, blog, photos, sponsorships:
http://www.thelongridehome.org/
https://www.facebook.com/TheLongRideHome