WP: War's Wounded Roll Their Message Into Washington

[DeepModem Mom]

War's Wounded Roll Their Message Into Washington
Cross-Country Bicycle Ride Aims to Raise Funds and Awareness of Injured Troops

By Donna St. George
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, July 11, 2005; Page B03


Heath Calhoun is cycling across America. Because he has no legs, he is doing this with his hands, pushing his pedals mightily up the sides of mountains, through rolling stretches of farmland, across suburban byways and city streets, with one idea in mind: that the country, which may be forgetting, needs to remember its wounded soldiers.

They are women and men like him, returned from duty in Iraq -- and some from Afghanistan -- without a leg or an arm or an eye or a hand, troops who lived when others died but who have a long way to go as they recover and rebuild.

"A lot of people think that the war is over, but Iraqis are still shooting at us every day," Calhoun, 26, said during a break near the White House, poised on his three-wheel hand cycle and surrounded by 50 other bicycle-mounted troops and supporters. "The wounded need their country's support."

With more than 3,500 miles behind them, Calhoun and two other riders yesterday brought their cross-country fundraising effort, Soldier Ride 2005, into Washington, to meet with President Bush in the morning and try to raise awareness about how many in the military are coming home injured. The latest Pentagon tallies show 13,336 wounded in Iraq and another 511 in the war on terrorism.

Here, as in other cities, the soldiers and other members of the military were joined in their journey by local wounded -- about a dozen in all -- some of whom would ride with them for a few hours, or a day, or a leg of their trip. That was part of the organizers' goal: to inspire can-do thinking and physical activity among those with debilitating injuries....


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/10/AR2005071001110.html

[atreides1]

1. And Meeting with the Chimpster...

....will accomplish nothing. Bush will spout some platitudes and use this kid as PR, but nothing else!!!!

[Miss Chybil]

2. What makes you think he'll actually meet with him?

He doesn't want to be seen with a blown-up man. It will make his war look bad.

[leftchick]

7. He did of course for another GREAT Photo-Op

and nothing else. No mention of how these Iraq war vets are cut off from medical assistance. One would hope some day these folks would realize how they are being used. :grr:



In this photo released by the White House, President Bush speaks with members of Soldier Ride 2005 National Tour Team, on the South Lawn of the White House, Sunday, July 10, 2005. Soldier Ride 2005, is comprised of wounded service members. The team will ride 4,200-miles, in a cross-country bike ride to raise money and support to help prepare wounded soldiers for long-term rehabilitation. (AP Photo/The White House, Eric Draper)

[Miss Chybil]

8. I'm surprised. It says right there, though, soldiers have to go begging

for rehab money. Shame. Shame. Shame.

[delete_bush]

10. not to mention his own

inability to ride a bike!

[Miss Chybil]

11. Bwahaha! Good one! nt

[PuraVidaDreamin]

3. Thanks DMM, will have hubby put it up on bulletin board at bike shop

Usually every X-mas we do a bike ride out of his store to raise $ for children/x-mas toys. Maybe I can organize another one around Thanksgiving to donate to this worthy charity.

[DeepModem Mom]

5. That sounds like a great idea, PVD.

:)

[bluestateguy]

4. Maybe the "Scamdy" crowd will want proof that their injuries are real..

They could set up a website too, to block them from getting needed medical treatment!

"We want documents", "We want even more documents! The ones you provided only raise more questions!" "Those people are not veterans. They just want to live off of welfare!"

:eyes:

[faithnotgreed]

6. love for all who have suffered so needlessly

[maddezmom]

9. thanks for the post DMM...so sad

:(

[WhiteTara]

12. do you think they will treat chimpy as a liberator?

or a traitor that maimed them for life?
:shrug:

[sabra]

13. Wounded Troops Raise Money for Veterans

<<SNIP>>
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/12/AR2005071200571.html

Wounded Troops Raise Money for Veterans

By TOM STUCKEY
The Associated Press
Tuesday, July 12, 2005; 11:12 AM

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Missing two legs he lost in the Iraq war, Heath Calhoun is nearing the end of a 4,200-mile cross-county journey by hand-propelled bicycle. His goal: to remind Americans the war is not over and that wounded soldiers are returning home with their lives changed forever.

"More than anything, we just want people to know that their troops are coming back and they need your support, whether you support the war or not," Calhoun said as he and a band of fellow Iraq veterans arrived in Annapolis Monday.

The former soldiers are raising money for the Wounded Warrior Project, a private organization that provides services to help those who were seriously wounded in the war.

"Money is desperately needed," Calhoun said, adding that the group helped him "when just getting out of bed seemed impossible."

<</SNIP>>