Wounded Warriors Receive Heartening Reception at Yearly Soldier Ride

Last week, the picturesque Outer Banks played proud host to an annual event close to many hearts, the Soldier Ride. This show of resilience and camaraderie is an initiative birthed by the Wounded Warrior Project with a focus on holistic health and wellness for veterans.

The Ride, the Riders, and Their Purpose

The Soldier Ride is no ordinary event; it’s a testament to the fighting spirit of wounded servicemen and women. The program, which was initiated in 2004, is designed to provide “a long-term path to recovery for every warrior through movement,” according to the organization’s official source.

The four-day adaptive cycling event welcomes men and women from all branches of the military. Bicycles are customized to match ability or skill level of each participant, whether that necessitates regular upright bikes, one-handed cycles, or tandem incumbent bikes.

The heart of the program is inclusion. It serves men and women who have been physically challenged by their service, including the loss of limbs or eyesight, or have suffered from post-traumatic stress syndrome or traumatic brain injuries. In the poignant words of regional coordinator Si Wilson, participants in Soldier Rides have experienced “everything from very, very visible amputees to completely invisible PTSD.”

The Outer Banks Experience

This year marks the second consecutive year that the Outer Banks was chosen as the host location for its scenic setting, bike-friendly paths, and a community that fervently supports its veterans. “The most important part of what we do is not miles per hour but smiles per hour,” Wilson poignantly expressed.

For the sixteen warriors who graced Nags Head on Tuesday evening, the next day was filled with anticipation. Awaiting them at Ocracoke, after a Hatteras ferry ride, were their bicycles and an impromptu, vibrant welcome from the patrons at SmacNally’s Raw Bar, where they had lunch.

Community Support

The community, notably, left no stone unturned in making these heroes feel at home. From strangers generously offering to pay for their meals to cheerfully cheering crowds lining their paths on Thursday’s ride in Manteo, the spirit of the Outer Banks was truly on display.

Perhaps what tugged at heartstrings the most was the reception the riders received at Manteo Elementary. Wilson eloquently captured the moment, “They kids made signs and cards. There was not a dry eye in the house. The kids were outside chanting ‘USA! USA!’ from a ways away. All these warriors were putting their sunglasses on. It was really touching, showing them they are still loved and appreciated.”

Not to be forgotten are the many local businesses and individuals who supported the annual Soldier Ride. An array of help was offered by local facilitator Celie Florence, Dr. Dan Jones, Chef Wes Stepp of NC Coast Grill, Blue Point in Duck, SmacNally’s Raw Bar, Cosmo’s Pizza, and the Holiday Inn at Nags Head.

Looking Ahead

Plans are already underway for another Soldier Ride in the Outer Banks in the spring of 2025. Those interested in participating or supporting the program can reach out to Wilson.