43 posts tagged “wounded warrior project”
Today's Wounded Warrior Project's Soldier Ride in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday September 26th is dedicated to the memory of father, husband and soldier, James "Tre" Ponder
Tre made the ultimate sacrifice for his brothers in arms on a rescue mission in eastern Afghanistan. The date was June 28, 2005. He was killed when his MH-47D helicopter was shot down by enemy fire on it's way to rescue a Navy SEAL team that had run in to trouble. He was a member of the Army 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR).
From his wife, Leslie Ponder:
Tre was in Afghanistan only to train his fellow soldiers, not to fly. But flying was him and when the opportunity arose for him to be on an aircraft and the QRF (the quick reactionary force), he jumped at the chance. His aircraft dropped off a SEAL team on the mountain and as always, promised those men that if they needed him, he would be there. And so when on June 28, 2005 there was a call for help Tre and his men quickly and without hesitation answered the call. That would be his last earthly mission....his helicopter was shot down by a RPG and all on board were killed. The hero that called for help was Lt. Mike Murphy...a soldier that was honored in the Empire State Challenge.
"Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:13
Tre was born in Alabama on June 24, 1969 and he grew up in Franklin, TN. He graduated from Battle Ground Academy in 1987 and attended Auburn University. He married Leslie Miller in 1994, they were married in Franklin. Tre was a CH-47 Chinook crew chief and was accepted into 160 Special Operation Aviation Regiment in 1992, and stationed at Ft. Campbell, KY. He held various positions within the Regiment.
Tre was the proud father of Samantha (born 1997) and Elizabeth (born 1999)...Tre worshipped his girls. He called them and his wife "his three crazy girlz". His face would light up at the sight of Samantha and Elizabeth...his family was his everything.
His awards and decorations include: the Air Medal with Valorous device, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Valorous Unit Award, the Army Superior Unit Award, the Good Conduct Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Overseas Service Ribbon. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal and an Air Medal with Valor device.
A Hunter Army Airfield hangar has a new name honoring the memory of an eight-person Night Stalker crew [including MSG James "Tre" Ponder] who died in combat on June 28, 2005. The 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) hangar, formerly known as Building 7902, is now named 'Turbine 33' after the aircraft crew's call sign. It was formally dedicated in a ceremony at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga., on June 7
.
Known as the Night Stalkers, the 160th is an elite aviation unit deployed in nearly every conflict since Grenada in 1983 to transport Special Forces units around the world by night in specially modified helicopters. It specializes in flying over water and developed many flying techniques now standard to Army aviators.
The secretive unit was formed in 1981 following the botched rescue attempt of hostages in Iran. It was not until a decade later that the military acknowledged the unit existed.
Keep reading about Tre here.
Donations to Soldier Ride can be made by sponsoring TEAM TRE
To learn more about Soldier Ride and it's mission, click here.
I had the honor of hanging out with a great group of guys the past four days as Soldier Ride rolled into NYS-I will post photos and update on here as soon as i get some free time. Revered as heroes, placed on a pedestal and treated like royalty-but just a bunch of regular guys who would rather be drinking a beer, having a few laughs, out of the spotlight. I‘m sure it probably made some of them uncomfortable, most feel they were just doing their job. Would rather be with their battle buddies, ready to fight again to defend our freedoms. But they ARE heroes, for they have sacrificed more than most will be asked to ever give for their country. Do not take these wounded warriors for granted. Despite their injuries, they are more determined then ever. The courage, spirit and unassuming manner of all made me proud and humble at the same time. They are ALL my heroes. I will not forget.
I heard this old song the other day, and despite my lack of writing talent, I felt moved to put pen to paper. If you read my blog, you know I hardly EVER write anything myself! But this is for all the amazing soldiers of Soldier Ride. -LIG
Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
Risin' up, back on the street
Did my time, took my chances
Went the distance, now I'm back on my feet
Just a man and his will to survive
You change your passion for glory
Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must fight just to keep them alive
Chorus:
It's the eye of the tiger, it's the cream of the fight
Risin' up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he's watchin' us all in the eye of the tiger
Face to face, out in the heat
Hangin' tough, stayin' hungry
They stack the odds 'til we take to the street
For we kill with the skill to survive
{I wrote this after last year's NY Soldier Ride, which inspired me to do more for our wounded heroes.}
Eye of the Tiger-Wounded Warriors face a new battle
When I was little, I wanted to be a hawk. Able to soar through the clouds, free from the restraints of gravity. At other times I preferred dolphins, imagining I was dancing on the waves. My sister on the other hand, always wanted to be a horse. Apache, Mustang, Arabian, didn’t matter, as long as it could gallop. Land animals held no appeal for me. Oh, I admired them, but I never wanted to BE one. Still, large felines fascinated me. Panthers, cheetahs, lions, jaguars and especially tigers. Lethal and beautiful. Eyes that sear your soul.
Soldiers to me are very similar. They sit patiently, silently while stalking their prey. Undeterred from their mission, protective of their own. Yet, what happens when a tiger is wounded?
Less than two years ago, my husband suffered a heart attack at the age of 37. Unexpected, blamed on genetics. I always envisioned him as a panther. Luckily, he has recovered, but the uncertainty is still there. Spending time at the hospital, especially CCU was like being in the twilight zone. Surrounded by unfamiliar machinery and hushed voices, life was quickly turned upside down. Prayers are whispered, deals with God are struck in the wee hours.
The wounded, no matter how they got that way are in a state of emotional chaos. What now? Why me? Denial is a constant vacation destination. A lot of garbage to wade through to get to a conclusion that expectations may have to be changed. Not lowered, just tweaked. A scary process, facing reality head on. Yet once a new plan is set in motion the tide changes and the currents flow in the same direction. Hopefully people standing on the shore will jump in and swim with you, supporting you as needed. Only you, though, can complete the journey.
The running commentary in my head never changes, regardless of my outside appearance. I am who I am. People perceive us based on their own experience. Not letting their restrictions and misconceptions define us is a never ending battle. What do YOU see when you look at a person with no legs, a missing arm, bad burns? Everyone has wounds, yet not all scars are visible to the eye. Physical defects does not make one defective.
The warriors returning home wounded have just begun a new battle. I cannot imagine the struggles they endure, but I believe in their strength. I believe deep down, the fierce fighting spirit that spurred them to become a member of the armed forces will slowly reawaken. Cocooned and isolated at first, protecting what remains. Slowly, steadily the restless urge for new challenges emerges. A new purpose, a new life ahead, different maybe, but worthy of purpose nonetheless.
Finally, breaking out of it’s old mold, a new creature struggles to be free. Tiger-eyes on the wings, unrestrained by gravity, the monarch starts a new journey.
Welcoming Hero Reception Dinner •
Come down to the American Airpower Museum and SUPPORT OUR wounded service members from OIF and OEF! Meet and greet the Wounded Warriors who will be bicycle riding in the NYC/LI Soldier Ride on Thursday July 23rd (NYC/Brooklyn), Friday July 24th (Babylon to Overlook Beach) and Saturday July 25th (Hamptons, Sag Harbor, Montauk).
Enjoy a special evening which includes gift bag, beer/wine(open bar), steak dinner(Outback Steakhouse), dessert, live band, 50/50, raffles, access to the American Airpower Museum, and meeting the WWP riders.
American Airpower Museum
1230 New Highway • Farmingdale, New York, 11735
$50 per Person Donation for Admission
All proceeds benefit the Wounded Warrior Project
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org
TO PURCHASE TICKETS-
HTTP://WWW.BABYLONTOBEACHES.COM
Please make checks payable to 1st Precinct Brotherhood
1st Precinct Brotherhood Club
P.O. Box 1855
West Babylon, NY 11704
Have a Question?
Go to http://www.babylontobeaches.com for complete BABYLON TO BEACHES up to the minute information. Or, call Councilwoman Gordon’s office at 631-957-3127
Wednesday July 22: Warriors travel to Farmingdale, NY and participate in an Adaptive Cycling Clinic/Bike fitting.There will be 25-30 wounded warriors on the trip as well as four guest riders from the Israel Defense Force.
That evening at 7 pm warriors will be the guests of honor at a Hero's Reception at the American Airpower Museum. For more information or to purchase tickets please see HTTP://WWW.babylontobeaches.com.
Thursday July 23, Soldier Ride New York City: Ride in NYC starting at Macy's Herald Square at 10 am. Riding is limited to warriors, staff guests and 25 riders registered through actor Matthew Modine's Bicycle For A Day . Matthew will be riding along throughout the event. Riding goes from Macy's to Central Park then down West Side Highway. After a lunch at the South Street Seaport sponsored by BGC riders continue to Brooklyn. At the end of the ride warriors will be welcomed to a block party in Brooklyn at 7001 18th Avenue on the corner of 70th ST & 18th Avenue sponsored by Villabate Alba Pastry Shop, the Brooklyn Key Chapter of Ex Prisoners of War, and Rolling Thunder 2.
That evening the warriors will be the guests of honor at the second annual "Wounded Warrior Appreciation Day in Ocean Beach". The event is hosted by the Ocean Beach Fire Department on Fire Island. For tickets or additional information please contact Andy Miller at 917-402-4390 or email amsmithmiller@aol.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Note: ticket holders will also be entitled to the ferry transport from the mainland (Bay Shore) free of charge, courtesy of Fire Island Ferries.
Saturday July 25, Soldier Ride The Hamptons (The birthplace of Soldier Ride): Warriors will ride as part of the second annual Soldier Ride, The Hamptons fundraiser ride. Routes include Montauk, East Hampton, Amagansett and Sag Harbor. For more information, ride and walk routes or to register please see http://www.empirestatechallenge.org . This event is dedicated to the memory of Lance Corporal Jordan Haerter, USMC, of Sag Harbor. Jordan was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for valor in Iraq. Over 30 of Jordan's platoon members from the 1/9 "Walking Dead" will be bicycle riding 62 miles in memory of LCpl Haerter. There is a BBQ after the ride at the American Legion in Amagansett. Dan Ackroyd will be riding along and attending the Rock The Farm benefit dinner as well.
Other events include a free concert on the green in Amagansett from 3-6 pm and
"Rock The Farm" after ride party in East Hampton from 6-10pm. http://www.rockthehamptons.org/
The "Memorial" in Memorial Day has been ignored by too many of us who are beneficiaries of those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom and liberty. Often we do not observe the day as it should be, a day where we actively remember those Americans including our ancestors, family members, loved ones, neighbors and friends who have paid the price for the blessings of liberty.
This Memorial Day please help me honor the sacrifices of Our Nation’s Heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as those who have returned home to face new challenges that the rest of us can only imagine –
I will be participating in Soldier Ride, the Hamptons on July 25th ~ This is a bicycling and walking event that brings together veterans, cyclists, walkers, athletes, families, volunteers, and people from all over Long Island and New York City. I will be joining hundreds of people in a day of fun and celebration while helping to support America's Wounded Veterans! Join me and challenge yourself to bike 28 or 65 miles or walk/run 4 miles. Come out to meet, ride along with and honor wounded veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Please sponsor me in this incredible event by making a donation or join my team and participate with us!!!
http://soldierride.kintera.org/hamptons/teaminvictus
Invictus is latin for "Unconquered" - Just like our Nation's Wounded Warriors!
Soldier Ride is an official program of the Wounded Warrior Project and is a rehabilitative sports event for the wounded warriors. But it is much more than that. For many of these combat wounded veterans it is a way to return to an active lifestyle. These cyclists, many who have been severely wounded, want to give back. The Soldier Ride also helps to raise awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project. Even though they have already given so much, they want to give this positive message to the public and pass the message on to the next group of wounded soldiers. Many of these men and women have been physically active throughout their lives and are not going to lose that. They are going to get on the bike and prove to themselves 'I can still do this.'' Soldier Ride is not about the politics, it's not about the war, it's simply about the soldiers.
All funds raised by this event go to the www.woundedwarriorproject.org The greatest casualty is being forgotten.
Thank you!! Have a great weekend!!
CHEER ON OUR WOUNDED WARRIORS!!!! SUPPORT THE SOLDIER RIDE!!!
SOLDIER RIDE, WHITE HOUSE TO THE LIGHTHOUSE
April 29-May 3
Schedule of Events
Wednesday April 29: Travel to DC as required and bicycle fitting at Walter Reed.
7:30-9 pm, dinner at Takoma Park U-Haul Center.
Thursday April 30: 2 pm President Obama hosts the kick off ceremony of the 2009-2010 Soldier Ride National Tour. 2:30 pm ride from the White House to Arlington Cemetery and end at Capitol Hill. 6-8 pm reception on Capitol Hill. The events on this day are by invitation only but the public is encouraged to cheer on the riders as they ride through the National Capital area.
Route http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/dc/washington/908124061011869551
Friday May 1: Ride from Andrews Air Force Base to Annapolis. Event starts at 9 am at base HQ. This ride is open to the public. Those who have not signed up may link up with riders at 10:30 at the north gate of Andrews Air Force Base. HELMETS ARE REQUIRED and all participants must sign a waiver prior to riding.
Route http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/md/-andrews-afb/378123996512395218
Dinner at Mike's Seafood Restaurant in Annapolis sponsored by Boston Scientific.
Saturday May 2: Tour of Annapolis. Meet up at Jonas Green Park at 9 am. This ride is open to the public. HELMETS ARE REQUIRED and all participants must sign a waiver prior to riding. http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/md/annapolis/943124026463537252
After ride party at Armadillos.
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Lance Corporal Jordan C. Haerter renamed in Jordan’s honor.
Bill Read, Reggie Cornelia, Dennis O'Donnel, Megan Ganga, Peter Honerkamp & Nick Kraus Sponsorship Opportunities For More Information Please Call: 631-267-3142 Or Email: info@stephentalkhouse.com Wounded Warrior Project - 7020 A.C. Skinner Parkway, Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256 Phone: 904-296-7350 - Fax: 904-296-7347 - Email: soldierride@woundedwarriorproject.org The Wounded Warrior Project is a non-profit, 501 (c) 3 corporation. All donations are tax deductible. woundedwarriorproject.org
OTHER NY EVENTS WILL INCLUDE NYC AND NASSAU COUNTY LONG ISLAND during 7/22-7/26/09 See the Soldier Ride website for ongoing updates and more information http://sr.woundedwarriorproject.org/
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SUFFOLK COUNTY GIRLS LACROSSE
AND
SACHEM YOUTH SPORTS
Present
2nd ANNUAL
GIRLS CHARITY LACROSSE TOURNAMENT
To Benefit The
Saturday & Sunday • March 28 & 29, 2009
Sachem Youth P.A.L. Complex • Holtsville, NY 11742
Sponsored by
SUFFOLK COUNTY PAL
SUFFOLK COUNTY WOMENS LACROSSE OFFICIALS
LACROSSE UNLIMITED
Sachem Youth Sports and Suffolk County Girls Lacrosse are proud to announce the 2nd Annual Girls Lacrosse Tournament for Charity, benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project. All proceeds will help our wounded service men and women returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. www.woundedwarriorproject.org
This two day tournament is open to youth/town teams, grades 2nd to 8th grade. The fee is $350.00 per team. Teams are guaranteed Four (4) 25 minute games. Round robin format. For complete information clink here: WWP Lax Tourney 2009.pdf
Look here for a copy of the 2008 letter from the Wounded Warrior Project. Thank you to all of our players and coaches and volunteers for making the 2008 tournament so successful. http://ssychargers.com/WWPtyletter2008.pdf
| Date: |
Saturday, February 7, 2009 |
| Time: |
3:00pm - 8:00pm |
| Location: |
Brady's Bar - Upper East Side |
| Street: |
1583 82nd Street (82nd & 2nd) |
| City/Town: |
New York, NY |
Please come out for happy hour and BBQ and support the NY Metro area's Wounded Warriors. The Warriors are military vets who've been wounded, some of them quite severely, in our nations most recent wars. We had about 10 friends come out last year and on top of it being a great cause it was an honor and just plain fun to meet the Warriors. It's a true dive bar but there was plenty of pool, great BBQ eats and of course happy hour drinks. The evening ended with some of the Warriors whooping it up with us at Session 73 and there may have even been some dancing on the bar. Proceeds go to www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Golden State Challenge, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and San Diego
February 18-21
Schedule of Events
Wednesday February 18: Riders travel to Santa Barbara and are fitted to thier bicycles and hand cycles.
Thursday February 19: Ride in Santa Barbara then travel to Paso Robles for a meet and greet with the Astana Professional Cycling Team, sponsored by Trek.
Friday February 20: Ride starting at 9 am at the Santa Monica Pier.
Saturday February 21: Ride in San Diego starting at 10 am at the Naval Hospital in Balboa park and ending on Coronado Island.
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