A Year In Iraq

Soldier Ride
Wounded warriors heal on the road

Lance Cpl. Patrick J. Floto

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. � For some veterans, particularly the combat-wounded, the biggest battle may not be the War on Terrorism itself, but coping with the injuries and disabilities.



Many organizations across the United States and beyond exist to help these wounded warriors find a unique way to recover from what was inflicted in battle.



For more than 75 wounded servicemembers, the best way to heal is to take action and accomplish something few have ever done: take part in a 3,000-mile bicycle ride across the country.



The cross country bicycle ride, an annual event known as Soldier Ride, began May 6 when the participants dipped the wheels of their bicycles in the Atlantic Ocean at Montauk Point, N.Y and ended July 29 with another dip in the Pacific Ocean here.



The 12-week odyssey was broken up into one week segments. The participants were able to join the cause for as long as they please.



Along the long route there were supporters cheering the participants on.



�Almost all of my adult life, I have been stationed at Fort Bragg where just about every civilian in town is a military relative,� said former Army Sgt. Andrew Biddle. �The consistency of American support for the troops is unbreakable. This is the first time I have truly seen just how much the military is appreciated.�



Bob Mullin, a supporter of Soldier Ride, flew from his home in Massapequa, N.Y. to San Clemente just to watch them finish the ride.



�I went to the park in Montauk Point and saw these young men missing arms and legs, but still in great shape heading across the country on bicycles,� said Mullin, a former Marine sergeant and retired New York Fire Department captain. �They served their country well, and they deserve our respect. They have true military spirit, and their courage is an inspiration to all.�



Mullin was joined by numerous other veterans� organizations such as several chapters of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Patriot Guard.



In addition to those who served, one performer particularly close to the Marine Corps rode with the wounded warriors.�When I played �Joker� in the movie �Full Metal Jacket,� I began a special relationship with the Marine Corps,� said Matthew Modine. �When I began visiting hospitals housing the combat wounded, I realized just how important it was to show our support for the troops.�



The Soldier Ride is an annual event put on by Soldier�s Angels, a support group that was founded by a mother of a former soldier in the summer of 2003 when she heard from her son that not every soldier was getting letters and care packages from home.



Since then, the group has expanded to a non-profit organization with branches at military hospitals across the United States and overseas. The group now hosts several projects to send supplies to wounded soldiers. For more information on Soldier�s Angels, visit their website at http://www.soldiersangels.org .





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FOR OUR WOUNDED
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/atf/cf/{279F00F6-7AEF-4E77-9462-B707D698D169}/TSGLI%20APPLICATION%20FORM.PDF

News and Highlights



Traumatic Injury Insurance Payment Forms Now Available:



The Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Service Member Group Life Insurance has recently released the form that MUST be filled out for severely injured service members to qualify for payment under the newly created Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI) program.



To Download the Application Form (with instructions) Click here.



For a detailed presentation on the Traumatic Injury Insurance program and eligibility requirements Go here

http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/atf/cf/{279F00F6-7AEF-4E77-9462-B707D698D169}/TSGLI%20APPLICATION%20FORM.PDF



Veterans' Day Message from the Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee



By U.S. Senator Larry Craig



"... I later met with three younger veterans, all in their early 20s, who also made me proud to be an American, and who put another lump in my throat.



Ryan Kelly, from Prescott, Arizona, lost a leg in Iraq. Heath Calhoun, from Clarksville, Tennessee, lost both of his legs. Jeremy Feldbusch from Latrobe, Pennsylvania, lost his sight. They explained the financial difficulties they faced with long recuperation times, and wives and family members who gave up jobs to be near them as they were in hospital rehab.



They sought legislation not to help themselves, but to help others. I was inspired by their courage and selflessness. Only a few weeks later, Congress approved legislation I authored, which will provide anywhere from $25,000 to $100,000 to our nation's "Wounded Warriors" to offset the costs families incur when they have to leave jobs and homes to be with loved ones who are recuperating at military hospitals."

EU constitution 'is dead': "EU leaders have been warned by former commissioner Lord Kinnock to accept the French "non" vote meant that its constitution was now dead."

In Ananova: War In Iraq



4 Americans, 4 Italians dead in Iraq crash: "Four American and four Italian military personnel were killed in separate aircraft crashes, military officials said Tuesday, and Iraq's prime minister condemned the U.S. arrest of a top Sunni political leader."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



Terrorism Arrests in Katu.com: Iraq & Terror



Voice on audio tape claims to be al-Zarqawi, says he's in good health in Katu.com: Iraq & Terror



U.S. Planes Hit Iraq Insurgent Strongholds: "AP Photo BAG122 By PAUL GARWOOD Associated Press Writer BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - The U.S. military nearly set off a sectarian crisis Monday by mistakenly arresting the leader of Iraq's top Sunni Muslim...




[in Guardian]"

In The US News: Iraq News



Iraq to cut power subsidies: "The Iraqi government may decrease subsidies for fuel and electricity, despite a severe shortage of both in the country, according to Electricity Minister Mihsen Shalash. The government blamed shortage...




[in AME Info]"

In The US News: Iraq News



27 killed in Iraq attacks >: "Last Updated 31/05/2005, 08:27:40 At least 27 people have died in a double suicide attack south of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.Police say two bombers blew themselves up in a crowd of about 500 former ...




[in Radio Australia]"

In The US News: Iraq News



�Things are getting worse by the day.�: "The mayhem continues in Iraq, with today at least 40 people dead, including five US soldiers in Diyala province as the meltdown of the failed US-led occupation continues.



Two suicide bombers detonated themselves after walking into a crowd of police officers in Hilla, south of Baghdad. The policemen were demonstrating outside the mayor�s office to protest a government decision to disband their Special Forces unit."

In Electronic Iraq



Iraq Islamic leader held and freed: "U.S. forces in Baghdad Monday detained Iraqi Islamic Party Secretary-General Mohsen Abdel Hamid and his sons for several hours, then released them.




[in The US News]"

In The US News: Iraq News

Iraq War News
Hamas militant group agrees to end attacks: "The Hamas militant group has agreed to halt mortar and rocket fire on Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip, a deal meant to save a truce threatened by three consecutive days of violence, the Palestinian interior ministry said Saturday."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq



Sun has published more Saddam snaps: "The Sun has published new prison photos of Saddam Hussein's top lieutenants, a day after showing the toppled Iraqi dictator in his underpants in jail."

In Ananova: War In Iraq



Pictures of Saddam in skivvies raise ruckus: "WASHINGTON : The publication on Friday of photographs of Saddam Hussein wearing only underwear in his cell in Iraq led the Bush administration on Friday to open an investigation into how the pict...




[in Deseret News]"

In The US News: Iraq News



Iraqi leaders call for restraint: "SUNNI and Shiite clerics have called for restraint as sectarian tensions rise, and Iraqi officials suggest Saddam Hussein might go on trial within a month. All occurred amid the release by a Britis...




[in The Daily Telegraph]"

In The US News: Iraq News



Paper Prints More Photos of Saddam in Jail: "A British tabloid published more revealing photographs of Saddam Hussein in U.S. custody on Saturday, a day after it ran a front-page picture of the former Iraqi leader naked except for his underwear."

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



Abu Ghraib prison attacked by insurgents: "Five detainees were wounded in an insurgent rocket attack on Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison Friday.




[in The US News]"

In The US News: Iraq News



U.S. casualty count in Iraq over 1,600: "The Iraq war and occupation has claimed over 1,623 troops, including 1,244 killed in action so far, according to the Pentagon's latest numbers.




[in The US News]"

In The US News: Iraq News

Iraq War News
More bodies found in Iraq, total up to 45: "Three Iraqis were found shot dead near a Baghdad dam on Monday and a slain Iraqi Kurd was left in a garbage dump in northern Iraq, raising the number of bodies found in recent days to 45. The government vowed to find those responsible, saying insurgents were seeking to exploit sectarian rivalries."

In JuneauEmpire.com: Associated Press



Rice praises creation of Iraqi cabinet: "Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the new multiethnic government of Iraq deserves credit for organizing a working Cabinet three months after landmark elections in January, not blame for taking so long."

In JuneauEmpire.com: Associated Press



Newsweek apologizes for Quran story errors: "In an apology to readers this week, Newsweek acknowledged errors in a story alleging U.S. interrogators at Guantanamo Bay desecrated the Quran. The accusations, which the magazine vowed to re-examine, spawned protests in Afghanistan that left 15 dead and scores injured."

In JuneauEmpire.com: Associated Press

Milbloggers et all
MilBloggers,



The Department of North Carolina: Veterans of Foreign Wars together with the Departments of Virginia, Delaware, Missouri and Wyoming are pleased to announce that our new Military WebCOM Video Conferencing Program for our soldiers and their families is ready for Beta Testing. Our program will enable a Solider and a significant other to communicate with audio/video via the Internet at no cost.



National VFW Commander John Furgess has offered to inaugurate the program by placing the first call to the troops.



What we need are volunteers presently stationed in Iraq or Afghanistan with the "right stuff" a computer, Internet connection , a web cam and the ability to be available today April 23 at 7:30pm Eastern Standard Time.



The VFW through programs like its Operation Uplink has always demonstrated its support in assisting military families in staying connected. This new Departmental program will only strengthen this dedicated effort.



If you can support our efforts or have any questions please e-mail vfwwebcom@gmail.com or call Ross Myers or Tara Sue Clark at (336) 235-2393. Thank you.



Yours in Service,

Ross Myers