{"id":34285,"date":"2013-04-06T23:28:19","date_gmt":"2013-04-07T06:28:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/198.57.196.122\/~gdatwofo\/theavtimes\/?p=34285"},"modified":"2013-04-09T23:07:02","modified_gmt":"2013-04-10T06:07:02","slug":"ride-honors-americas-heroes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theavtimes.com\/2013\/04\/06\/ride-honors-americas-heroes\/","title":{"rendered":"Ride honors America\u2019s heroes"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Shortly<\/a>
Shortly after 9 a.m. Saturday morning, about 150 cyclists and injured veterans took part in the inaugural Honor Ride Palmdale.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

PALMDALE \u2013 About 150 riders cycled through Palmdale Saturday to make a difference in the lives of healing heroes.<\/p>\n

The bicyclists were part of Ride2Recovery\u2019s inaugural Amgen Tour of California Honor Ride Palmdale, a self-paced, non-competitive race that raises funds for injured veterans.<\/p>\n

\"Honor<\/a>\u201cWe do this is to honor those that have fallen and those that have come back but have challenges and need some help,\u201d said Linda Glassel, National Director of the Honor Ride Program. \u201cCycling is a wonderful means of rehabilitation, both physically and mentally, for our healing heroes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Opening ceremonies for the event kicked off at Marie Kerr Park around 8:30 a.m. and was hosted by Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to show our continued support to our veterans \u2013 active, retired, their families, the entire veteran network in the Antelope Valley,\u201d Ledford said. \u201cBut most of all we\u2019re here for the families of our lost veterans, the people that gave the ultimate sacrifice defending this great nation.\u201d<\/p>\n

The event paid tribute to several local fallen war heroes and their families. Among those honored were John E. Allen, Ryan Clark, George Delgado, Keith Fiscus, Walter Freeman, Jason George, Fernando Hannon, Christopher Leon, Joseph Lopez, Javier Olvera, Brian Pedro, Matthew Ramsey, Marvin Sprayberry, Ian Stewart\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Allan Walker<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, it feels like my son is alive,\u201d said Martha Olvera, the mother of Marine Lance Cpl. Javier Olvera. \u201cEven though I cannot see him, he is always here with me. I know a lot of people are doing good and it\u2019s because of Javier.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The families of local fallen war heroes were recognized.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cIt makes us feel pretty good and special that Matthew gets to be honors and remembered through the Valley, because he grew up here,\u201d said Melissa Cochran, the mother of Spc. Matthew Ramsey.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt helps us to know that he will never be forgotten, and that kind of helps with the healing process, to know that he\u2019s loved and missed,\u201d said Mirella, wife of Matthew Ramsey.<\/p>\n

The race, itself, began shortly after 9 a.m., with bicyclists riding 20, 44, or 71-mile routes that began and ended at Marie Kerr Park.<\/p>\n

All participants were awarded medals upon crossing the finish line.<\/p>\n

\"All<\/a>
All cyclists were awarded medals upon crossing the finish line.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Palmdale is one of three Amgen Tour of California host cities holding Ride2Recovery Honor Rides in conjunction with the race. Escondido is holding an Honor Ride on May 12, and Santa Rosa\u2019s Honor Ride is May 19.<\/p>\n

Funds raised will help injured veterans participate in Project HERO cycling programs on 34 military installations\u00a0and three VA sites. This includes the purchase of bikes, helmets and other equipment.<\/p>\n

For further information on Ride2Recovery, visit\u00a0www.ride2recovery.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

From Sights from Ride2Recovery\u2019s Honor Ride Palmdale!<\/a>, posted by The Antelope Valley Times<\/a> on 4\/06\/2013 (42 items)<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Generated by Facebook Photo Fetcher 2<\/i><\/span>
\n