Veterans take to bikes this weekend on Wounded Warrior Project’s 8th Annual Soldier Ride

Nearly three-dozen veterans gathered at the State Capitol for the 8th Annual Soldier Ride on Friday, the first of two days of biking 32 miles through St. Paul and Woodbury to support wounded service members.

Warm air brushed the dew on the Capitol lawn as the veterans waved their arms to stretch. An escort of police officers, firefighters and medics looked on as state Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson thanked the vets, saying that he “couldn’t be more inspired” by their service.

Then they wheeled off as St. Paul Fire Capt. Ben Schenck played the Marines’ Hymn on bagpipes from atop a fire engine ladder.

The annual event is sponsored by the Wounded Warrior Project, a Florida-based organization that provides resources to injured veterans and their families. Participating veterans bike to support each other and connect with other injured service people, while pushing their own limits.

The bikes, provided at no cost during the ride, are modified to accommodate each veteran’s specific injuries. During Friday’s ride, Bloomington Jefferson High School football players stood ready with water and support to keep the cyclists going. They’ll do it again Saturday morning, when they gather at Woodbury’s Veterans Memorial to bike 15 miles on a route that returns them to the city’s Fire Station 1 on Radio Drive.

“It’s really common for a warrior to show up to this event and be really apprehensive,” said Riley Peters of the Wounded Warrior Project. “But throughout the event, as they interact with other warriors, interact with our teammates, interact with our local community members, they see that people support them and love them and want to see them succeed. And once they complete the ride, their confidence starts to build.”

Among the riders Friday was retired four-star U.S. Army Gen. Joseph Votel, a Minnesota native who said the event is especially important for the state.

Votel and others stressed that events like this are important for veterans, who often find themselves isolated when returning from the service. Many slip into depression, which contributes to high rates of suicide among former service members.

Tom Cocchiarella helped launch the veterans’ ride after serving for years in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam era. An air accident broke his wrist and led to his discharge, but Cocchiarella found himself the focus of criticism for his service when he returned to civilian life. Soldiers then were often called “baby killers” and spat on by opponents of the war.

“When 9/11 happened, the whole country’s mood towards police, fire and military changed. And that’s the first time, in 2001, that I felt like ‘Wow, there are people out there that care,’” Cocchiarella said.

“You give up a lot to serve in the military, and we just think that they deserve everything we could possibly give them. We wouldn’t have this country if it wasn’t for the people that served.”