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Road 2 Recovery Wounded Warrior Tour came through Central Texas April 2-3, 2009

March 29-April 4, the first of 4 Road 2 Recovery Wounded Warrior Bicycle rides scheduled for 2009 took place, and on days 3 and 4, made it’s way through Central Texas. The 7 day, 360 mile ride began in San Antonio on Sunday March 29th and made nightly rest stops in San Marcus, Austin, Killeen, Waco, Cleburne and came to conclusion on Saturday April 4th at the New Ranger Stadium, where the group was on hand to throw out the first ceremonial pitch in the game vs. the K.C. Royals.

Some of the guest that came out to wish the riders well on their journey included Roger Staubach, Adam Baldwin (Full Metal Jacket, NBC’s “Chuck”) and Past President, George W. Bush. Adam Baldwin actually rode along side of the Wounded Warriors for the entire tour. Roger Staubach was the guest speaker at the send off event on March 29th where R 2 R participant Chad was presented with a special bike that Cowboy legend, Roger Staubach autographed for him. Past President Bush visited with the Wounded Warriors on Saturday morning in Cleburne before they started out for Ft Worth. Past President Bush also signed Chad’s bike.

The American Legion Auxiliary Department of Texas took the lead roll to make sure the Road 2 Recovery riders were well taken care of at all of the nightly rest stops. Site coordinators were set up in each town. They were responsible for fundraising, publicity, meals and special events held in their area. Mary Hueske was appointed as site coordinator for Waco and was assisted by her husband Bill Hueske. Bill was also the MC for the Road 2 Recovery dinner at Post 121.

When the R 2 R tour reached Waco, the American Legion Riders from Post 121 and the Waco Police Department greeted the riders at Hwy 6 and Bagby. This was the first time during the tour the American Legion Riders and a Local Police Department had provided an escort for the Bicycle Riders since the tour began. The riders were very grateful for the escort, because just the day before, when the group reached Killeen, a wayward driver had cause serious injury to one of the riders.

As the ride preceded through Waco over 150 employees of the VA Medical Center greeted them as they cycled through the “Avenue of Flags” of the Waco Campus. They were also greeted by the VA Police Department at the Waco VA Medical Center and they too joined to escort the group of riders down Franklin to their destination of the day, the Hotel Waco.

At 6:00 pm the American Legion Riders once again escorted the cyclist to American Legion Post 121 for a dinner held in their honor. The VA Volunteer Services furnished a lift van to transport the 7 wheelchair riders to Post 121.

Guest speaker for the dinner was American Legion National Vice Commander, Dellano “Shorty” Simmons. City Councilman for District IV, Rick Allen, presented a Proclamation from the City of Waco, for Mayor DuPuy, proclaiming April 2, 2009 as “Road 2 Recovery - Don’t Mess with Texas - Challenge Day.” The proclamation praised the R 2 R riders for their efforts to raise funds for the program and awareness of the challenges the Wounded Warriors face upon their return home from war. Jakob Stewart brought greetings for Congressman Chet Edwards.

The final speaker of the night was John Wordin who is the founder and director of this program. He spoke to over 200 guest and riders in attendance about the R 2 R program and how it benefits the participants. The mission of R2R is to help make a difference in the lives of Wounded Warriors by assisting with their mental and physical rehabilitation programs. “There have been a lot of studies done on physical activity, and there are two things it does. “One is it decreases depression,” … “The second thing is, by doing a physical activity it helps develop your muscles.”

Volunteers on hand to serve the heroes were: The Young Marines, under direction on Henry Gonzales, the American Legion Posts Commanders and Auxiliary Presidents from Waco, Clifton, Killeen, Gatesville, Temple, Hamilton and many other post and unit members. Also found in the serving line, was the American Legion 11th District Vice Commander Don Dameron and American Legion Auxiliary 11th District President Marcie Davis. All said they were honored to be able to do such a small task for these heroes that had given so much for our country.

The Mt Calm Elementary School children provided one of the most inspiring events of the evening. The children made Thank You cards for all the wounded warriors, and these cards were presented to the R 2 R riders at the dinner. The wounded warriors were so touched by the cards; they each wrote a note back to the children on table napkins. The napkins were returned to the children the following day.

The meal was made possible by donations received from local businesses and from American Legion Posts and Units through out the 11th District. The meal was cooked by Commander “Red” Atkinson and his crew from Clifton Post 322. Everyone agreed the Bar-B-Q was wonderful and no one went away hungry. The R 2 R participants were given unlimited refills of everything and one rider said that had never happened before. He went on to explain, they were always fed a nice meal but it was always just the one serving and people just don’t realize how many calories you burn on a ride like this and especially when your fighting 40-50 mile an hour winds.

At the conclusion of the meal, Bill Hueske presented a check to John Wordin in the amount of $1,194.10. Wells Fargo ITS Tx Service Center-Waco, Wal-Mart Super Center- Hewitt, Wal-Mart Super Center-Bellmead, Sam’s Club-Bellmead, HEB Store-N. 19th Waco, HEB Store-Woodway, HEB Store-Bellmead, HEB Store-Wooded Acres Waco, Brookshire’s Store-Robinson, Dr. Pepper Bottling Co-Waco, AL & ALA 11th District DEC Membership, American Legion Aux Unit 121 Waco, American Legion Post 121 Waco, American Legion Riders Post 121 Waco, American Legion Post 526 Holland, American Legion Post 223 Killeen, American Legion Post 133 Temple, American Legion Aux Unit 133 Temple, American Legion Aux Unit 222 Hamilton, American Legion Post 42 Gatesville, American Legion Aux Unit 42 Gatesville, American Legion Aux Unit 322 Clifton, American Legion Post 322 Clifton, Richard “Red” Atkinson, Commander Post 322 Clifton, Joyce Wright, President Unit 322 Clifton, Johnny Outlaw Post 322 Member Clifton, Bill Hueske Post 322 Clifton & Mary Hueske Unit 121 Waco, Sally Englebrecht ITS WF-Waco, Margaret Williams, Member Unit 133 Temple & Jesse & Cecilia Garza Members Post/Unit 121 all made donations to help support the Road 2 Recovery efforts. A special thank you needs to go to the Hewitt Wal-Mart Super Center because they were so impressed by the R 2 R program for Wounded Warriors, they submitted the program for a Grant from the Wal-Mart Corporation, and the program received a grant check in the amount of $300.00, which was included in the check for $1,194.10.

If you didn’t get a chance to participate with the event this year, don’t miss it next year. I guarantee you’ll be awed by the determination of these heroes to make a full recovery, in every way.

Mary Hueske, American Legion Auxiliary Site Coordinator - WACO