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2016 Memorial Challenge - Day 1
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Riders head into Manassas to end Day 1's ride
Day 1 - Monday, May 30 - Washington, DC to Manassas, VA
UnitedHealthcare Memorial Challenge
Day 1 - Monday, May 30
Started at: Washington, DC
Ended at: Manassas, VA
Approximate miles ridden: 46
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The 2016 Memorial Challenge began on Monday, marking the 50th Challenge event in Ride 2 Recovery's 9 year history. This ride began at the Pentagon and turned out to be a wonderful day for riding, even with reports of Tropical Storm Bonnie posing a threat.
Gen. Patty Horoho (US Army Surgeon General ret), who was the official starter of the very first Challenge in May of 2008, was in attendance to launch the ride. Back in 2008, then Colonel Horoho, was commander of Walter Reed and was on hand as the 14 original Challenge participants rode to the Coca-Cola 600.
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| Start speakers |
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Max Martini (Mark "Oz" Geist) and Dominic Fumusa (John "Tig" Tiegen) from 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi speak at the start
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Honoring those lost
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| Several of the original participants and many from the Department of Defense command came out to support the ride. To honor all those who made the ultimate sacrifice, the warriors honored former Navy Seal Tim Holden, who was killed riding his bike to work nine months ago. Tim was a regular participant in the UnitedHealthcare Memorial Challenge. His daughters rode in his honor and Tim's wife and brothers joined riders to place a wreath at the Pentagon's 9-11 Memorial. |
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VIP Riders
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Original riders and command
with Medal of Honor recipient, Flo Groberg
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| There were many military and State Dept. VIPs on the first day of the ride, including Army Dep Chief of Staff, Gary Cheek, who had been the WTC Commander when Ride 2 Recovery was first created and was one of the founders of the Warrior Games; Former CSA Gen. George Casey; Adm. Mike Stocks; Adm. Mike Lefever; Gen. Maggie Woodward, Chairman of Ride 2 Recovery's Board of Directors; Dep. Asst. Sec. of Defense, John Burnham; Medal of Honor Recipient Flo Groberg; and long time CIA director Greg Vogel. |
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Inspirational Rider, Stephan Leroy
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| One of the most inspiring healing heroes on this ride is Stephan Leroy, a bilateral AK/BK amputee who rode a regular, upright bicycle for the first time at a Challenge today. With Mike McNaughton (the first R2R warrior) on hand to lend support and mentorship, Leroy easily handled the 46 mile route to Manassas. |
On day 2 (Tuesday, May 31), riders will head to Fredericksburg, VA.
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