Airmen send wounded cyclists off at White House

by Ian Graham
Defense Media Activity

4/29/2010 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- More than 200 Airmen and uniformed members from across the services gathered on the White House's south lawn April 27 to give wounded servicemembers a send-off as they began a bike trip from the nation's capital to Annapolis, Md. The White House to the Lighthouse Challenge, the fourth such trek hosted by the Wounded Warrior Project, is a four-day ride taken by servicemembers who have been injured in combat.

Vice President Joe Biden, Dr. Jill Biden, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki met with the troops before they mounted their bikes and took a ceremonial lap around the south lawn.

The vice president spoke to the riders before they began their ride, reminding them that while everyone is grateful for their sacrifice, nobody can know the extent of what they've given.

"What's even more unfathomable is your courage," Vice President Biden said. "You define -- I mean this literally -- who we are as a country. You're the heart, the soul and the spine of this country. You aren't just showing us what we should be; you show us that we can be anything we want to be."

The audience for the send-off was primarily composed of fellow servicemembers from around the Washington area who came to support their brothers and sisters in uniform.

It is vitally important for servicemembers to meet and get to know their wounded peers, said Army Sgt. 1st Class Robert Mellott, from the 12th Aviation Battalion. That way they can learn what it means to wear a military uniform.

"It reminds everyone in the service what we're here for; the sacrifices we make for our country," he said. "It's what we do, it's our job. People get to live their lives how they want because of the sacrifices made by the people riding those bikes."

I came to the send-off because I want to support my fellow servicemembers as much as I can, said Staff Sgt. Erin Everhardt, of the 11th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Bolling Air Force Base, Washington D.C.

"I thought it was a great opportunity to show our support for them," Sergeant Everhardt said. "It was really nice to come see them off."

The riders biked through Washington to Baltimore and then to Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Station Washington in Maryland, before they headed to Annapolis.