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BIKES, from 6 branch of the military wore a photo of I’m talking. You never know what kind of battle your life,” he said. “Just get out here
a service member who had taken his “One day,” he continued, “I had a somebody come out of, civilian or and get around other people who un-
their church group at one of the stops or her life. military. But finding teams at Face of derstand what you’re going through.
in Pennsylvania. plan to go on that lonely walk, but my America like Warriors4Life will hold You meet so many people who are go-
He said they also didn’t leave any- neighbor out of nowhere gave me a you until eventually, you’re able to ing through some of the similar things
“I think it’s really cool that they can one behind on the ride. hug and said, ‘Hey, how are you do- hold someone else.” [in] that day-to-day mental battle. Get
still ride bikes,” Schaffer said. ing?’ I looked at him and said, ‘Why out there and start doing some stuff.
“When we start pedaling, if we see did you do that?’ He said, ‘You looked Morgan echoed Padgett’s sentiment. It’s great.”
“We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t someone struggling on a hill, we help like you needed a hug.’ I said, ‘I did.’ “Get out and try it; it could change
for them fighting for our country and push,” Roman said. “It’s amazing be-
serving our country,” Wantz said. ing able to come on a weekend like Retired Army
“We’re out here to salute them and this from all parts of the U.S. and peo- Sgt. Albert
tell them we appreciate their service.” ple from Puerto Rico and just being Gonzalez sets
one. It’s not about being Army, Navy, pace for the
Jose Santiago, A former Army cor- Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard. Rescue 22
poral combat medic who has PTSD It’s about the armed forces — broth- team during the
from his time in Iraq from 2003 to ers and sisters pushing each other just Face of America
2004 and a traumatic brain injury, to cross that finish line to get the job bike ride in
leads a team of about 50 cyclists — done.” Gettysburg,
25 percent of them are from Puerto Penn., April 24,
Rico. He said Face of America is like Medically retired Navy Petty Offi- 2016. More than
a family reunion, and that he has seen cer 1st Class Jerry Padgett II, a search 150 disabled
the impact rides like Face of America and rescue emergency medical tech- veteran cyclists
has had on some of his riders. nician, has a spinal injury and TBI were paired
from an improvised explosive device amongst 600
“Last year, we had a veteran here, blast in Afghanistan. He encourages able-bodied
he had so much rage, and ever since any veterans who may be consider- cyclists to ride
he’s been riding, his whole attitude has ing participating in Face of America 110 miles from
been changing,” Santiago said. “His to give it a try. Arlington, Va.,
wife said, ‘When he doesn’t ride, I can to Gettysburg
see the attitude. I tell him, ‘You need “If not FOA, go out to your local over two
to go ride.’ That’s pretty neat.’” park and recs and find out if they have days in honor
any adaptive sports,” he said. “You of veterans
Medically retired Army Sgt. Nor- just have to make the effort and know and military
berto Roman, a cargo specialist with that you’re not alone and to connect. members.
PTSD and chronic bronchitis from de- The only one true disability in life is
ployments to Iraq from 2003 to 2004 the lack of communication. I was told DOD photograph by EJ Hersom
and from 2004 to 2005 had a special I wouldn’t walk and talk again, but
mission this year. He led a Rescue 22
team on a memorial ride. Each of his
riders who were veterans from each
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May 6, 2016 Aerotech News and Review 7
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