Wounded Warriors Roll Through Williamsburg

By Matt Poms Friday, June 04, 2010

Led by the Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drum Corps and flanked by an honor guard from the Knights of Columbus, over 100 wounded veterans rolled into Williamsburg Thursday, attending a dinner at St. Bede’s Catholic Church as a stop on the Ride 2 Recovery Memorial Challenge. The servicemen, accompanied by another 100 supporters, are in the midst of a 350-mile bicycle ride. They departed from the Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day and will arrive at their finish in Virginia Beach Saturday.

The Yorktown Assembly of the 4th degree Virginia District Knights of Columbus treated the veterans to an outdoor barbeque at the church, preceded by a short ceremony.

“It’s one of the best events we have along the route,” Ride 2 Recovery founder John Wordin said. “The community and St. Bede’s Church did a really great job of putting this on and getting everybody rallied in the community.”

Several hundred supporters, including retired Marine Corps General Anthony Zinni, gathered to honor the ride participants. Local businesses such as Conte’s Bikes and Whiskey Hill Barbeque signed on as sponsors, while Boy Scout Troop 1932, which meets at St. Bede’s, volunteered to serve food and clean up.

The support was appreciated by the riders, who entered in a parade including the Fifes and Drums and honor guard.

“This is great. The weather is perfect, and we couldn’t ask for anything better,” Josh Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez was riding in a vehicle that was hit by an improvised explosive device in Ramadi, Iraq in July 2007. The blast affected his lower legs, making ordinary walking difficult. The 25-year-old discovered cycling upon a doctor’s recommendation, and is now riding in his fourth Ride 2 Recovery.

“The support we get at every stop is incredible,” he said. “The more people that get the word out about things that can be done for our wounded warriors is great.”

Local attendees were also enthusiastic about the cause. Elmer May is a member of the 3rd Degree Williamsburg Assembly of the Knights of Columbus, and jumped at the chance to come support the wounded soldiers.

“I served in Vietnam, and I think it’s great to see them moving past their injuries,” May said. “I think it’s amazing that they can get so much support. It’s important, and a big change [from Vietnam,] when you didn’t mention that you were in the military.”

Wordin said that the Knights of Columbus had been seeking to get involved with the event for some time, and that the ability to partner the organization with a route through Williamsburg was ideal for the Ride.

“We were just looking for the right fit,” he said. “The guys love it. We got to circle and go through some of the historical parts of Colonial Williamsburg. After we finished riding, a lot of the guys went [to Colonial Williamsburg] and toured. It was a really scenic route.”

The organizer added that he expected the event to be back next year at the church.

“Absolutely, if they’ll have us,” Wordin said. “And I know that next year, what you see here will be 10 times bigger with the support we’ve gotten from the community.”