Key West Diary 4

On Sunday, January 11th, Sara and I went down to help send off the Wounded Warrior Project bike ride that started here at NAS Key West Boca Chica and followed the highway into downtown Key West, about eight miles away.

This non-profit organization helps those service members wounded in combat to become more fully integrated back into society after serving their country and being wounded, some of them greviously, while others are suffering from PTSD and show no physical signs of their wounds but are still suffering with their own demons.

On this day there were approximately sixty wounded warriors participating and all seemed to be in great spirits and looking forward to the challenge ahead.

It was very heartwarming to see the smiles and good natured ribbing going on among the young men and women participating, regardless of their wounds and limitations.

Though my war was different than theirs, the camaraderie was the same. Every time I am around a group of severely wounded veterans such as these young warriors the thought always flashes through my mind that "there for but the grace of God go I" and I am thankful for all that I have been blessed with.

The support required to put together a ride like this is very impressive, with all the buses and U-haul trailers and police.

At the stroke of 0930, just as advertised when the ride would begin, a flight of two Navy F/A-18 Fighter Aircraft flew over the starting point and they were off. It was certainly an emotional and proud start to our day!