This past Veteran’s Day weekend in Wallis, TX we had the best ride yet. All the accolades for this are owed to the Schlumberger Cycling Team and the 200 volunteers that they and the community of Wallis assembled for the ride that weekend. On Saturday there were 700 riders of which 10% were veterans. It's almost an ideal mix and we have been receiving some extremely moving comments from non-veteran participants regarding how inspiring it was for them to see so many vets out there riding the same road together. That's why cycling is such a good metaphor, as we all ride the same road together and ultimately will end up at the same destination. It’s how we learn to share that road that really matters.
More than any individual or corporation, Veterans Group Ironwood seems to understand this. VGI is a unique veterans organization in that it is made up entirely of inmates and guards in the California penal system. VGI was started by James “Sneaky” White, a highly decorated Marine and former Army Helicopter pilot who served multiple tours in Vietnam. By selling pizzas in the prison canteen and recycling aluminum cans, VGI raised $10,000 which they donated to cover the travel expenses of the veterans attending the Wallis Ride.
The highlight of the weekend was listening to veteran Chris Lynch speak at breakfast before we left on Sunday morning. Chris's injury was severe and his road to recovery has been challenging, but his road is pointing in the right direction. Those who were there to listen I think will agree that it was a poignant and inspirational story that probably took a lot of personal courage to share.
Many lessons were learned (see attached report below) and Wallis 4 is destined to be even better.
