Members of the Wounded Warrior Project’s Soldier Ride ride along the South Lawn drive at the White House April 24, 2008, during the kick off of the annual “Soldier Ride: White House to Lighthouse Challenge” bike ride.
White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian.
Wounded Warriors Get White House Send Off Before Soldier Ride
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 24, 2008 – A group of wounded warriors got a presidential send off at the White House today as they launched a three-day bicycle ride to show the world and themselves what they’re still capable of accomplishing.
President Bush joined Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen, Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon R. England, and the secretaries of State and Veterans Affairs on the South Lawn, heralding the wounded warriors for their service, sacrifice and inspiration.
The riders set out on the “White House to Light House Challenge” that will take them from the White House to Walter Reed Army Medical Center here and Baltimore before they arrive in Annapolis, Md., April 27.
Bush praised the participant’s bravery and said he admires their courage and determination. “The three-day bike ride you’re starting today at the White House says a lot. It says that you’re showing that even when you’re wounded, you’re not done fighting,” he said.
Bush said the riders represent the spirit of the strongest military in the world and the greatest country on earth. “I’m thankful that we have brave men and women like you who step forward to protect America,” he said. “I’m proud to be your commander in chief.”
The United States owes those wounded serving the country “all the support they can possibly have,” he said.
“We owe them the best prosthesis, and if there’s a new advance, it will be made available for our folks,” he said. “We owe them a Veterans Health Administration that’s seamless and works well. We’ll give them the best medical care, and for the docs and nurses here, there’s no doubt in my mind our troops get the best medical care possible.”
Most of all, Bush said, “We owe them our thanks.”
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