Free Republic

Heath Calhoun is cycling across America. Because he has no legs, he is doing this with his hands, pushing his pedals mightily up the sides of mountains, through rolling stretches of farmland, across suburban byways and city streets, with one idea in mind: that the country, which may be forgetting, needs to remember its wounded soldiers. They are women and men like him, returned from duty in Iraq -- and some from Afghanistan -- without a leg or an arm or an eye or a hand, troops who lived when others died but who have a long way to go...

A 4,200-mile bike ride would be challenging for anyone. For someone missing a limb, it would seem impossible. But Army veterans Heath Calhoun and Ryan Kelly are proving just how possible it is. Calhoun, a double leg amputee, and Kelly, who lost his right leg, are both participating in Soldier Ride 2005, a cross-country bike trip to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit organization that assists servicemembers who were injured in Iraq, Afghanistan and other hot spots around the world. Calhoun and Kelly are leading the ride, along with Chris Carney, a bartender from East Hampton, N.Y.,...

Wounded Soldiers Cross Country on Bikes to Raise Money for Group Helping VeteransBy Tom Stuckey Associated Press Writer Published: Jul 12, 2005 ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Missing two legs he lost in the Iraq war, Heath Calhoun is nearing the end of a 4,200-mile cross-county journey by hand-propelled bicycle. His goal: to remind Americans the war is not over and that wounded soldiers are returning home with their lives changed forever. "More than anything, we just want people to know that their troops are coming back and they need your support, whether you support the war or not," Calhoun said...

Show our wounded soldiers how much you care! Join Chris Carney, Heath Calhoun and Ryan Kelly for their epic 4200 mile, cross country journey on Soldier Ride 2005. The ride begins at the Marina Del Ray "Mother's Beach" in Los Angeles, CA on May 21, 2005 and ends in Montauk, New York on July 19, 2005. These courageous men will lead the Soldier Ride National Tour Team across the heartland of America. Along the way they will be joined by fellow wounded warriors who will help them relay Soldier Ride's message of hope, courage and determination across America.Here's how...

Dear DQ Mail Recipient, We were made aware of this unselfish effort on the part of an ordinary American to draw attention to the special needs of our brave and great members of the Armed Forces that have returned home with difficult wounds and injuries. We ask you to take a moment if you would to learn more about this effort and the great group of people that have involved themselves and consider supporting them in any way you can. The website is www.SoldierRide.com . They can receive donations or other forms of support there. We at DQ Media are...