World T.E.A.M. Sports » Press Releases

Real Winners in 2012 Adventure TEAM Challenge are Participating Athletes

Richard Rhinehart — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:16:22 +0000

By Richard Rhinehart
Fruita, Colorado, May 21, 2012: World T.E.A.M. Sports’ Adventure TEAM Challenge moved west in 2012 to a new and challenging desert landscape along the Utah borderland, west of the Colorado National Monument gateway city of Fruita. Though the landscape for the inclusive event changed, the final result did not – Team Lumber Liquidators finished first for the fourth consecutive year, despite efforts by the other 13 teams to unseat them as defending champion.

Team Lumber Liquidators celebrate their 2012 Adventure TEAM Challenge victory. Photograph by World T.E.A.M. Sports, Richard Rhinehart.

Featuring two military teams and the event’s first all-woman team, the 2012 Challenge included five athletes per team, of which two were disabled. One member in each of the teams was a wheelchair user, requiring teammates to pull, push, carry and assist the athlete through a rugged course featuring mountain biking, hiking, river rafting, orienteering, climbing and rappelling.

For Denver-based Team Lumber Liquidators, the unfamiliar terrain and various challenges – including roping with a lasso and fixing a flat – provided small margin for error. At the end of the three day event, the winning team had only a 61 minute lead on their closest competitor, the first-year Team Fire Strategies, a team of firefighters based in Colorado Springs.

Sponsored by Alteryx, a software development and services company headquartered in Irvine, California, the Challenge provided an opportunity for participating teams to work together and creatively solve challenges and problems through cooperation and support. In each participating team, the skills and determination of the disabled athletes usually provided the key in clearing a challenge. This included blind adventurer Erik Weihenmayer, of Team Lumber Liquidators, who successfully solo climbed a difficult sandstone rock with a top rope. With his team mates guiding him on from below, Erik’s ascent was one of the highlights of the Challenge.

Erik Weihenmayer meets and greets teams as they finish at the 2012 Adventure TEAM Challenge. Photograph by World TEAM Sports, Richard Rhinehart.

For all of the participating teams, however, simply finishing the Challenge was a success. Exploring the red sandstone high desert of the region, rafting the Colorado River, and participating in group meals at the Bureau of Land Management’s Rabbit Valley campsite, individual athletes experienced the benefits of working together as teams and overcoming adversity. Able-bodied participants were inspired by their disabled colleagues, and those athletes with disabilities showed themselves that they can excel in a competitive wilderness adventure.

In a weekend bracketed by a stinging desert sandstorm and a solar eclipse, the participants of the sixth annual Adventure TEAM Challenge learned that by using ingenuity, cooperation and hard work that the ultimate team adventure can be successfully met by all competitors. For Weihenmayer, who started the Adventure TEAM Challenge with World T.E.A.M. Sports in 2007, his idea of an inclusive team sports event has grown with each passing year. His greatest satisfaction, though, is not in winning the championship, but in experiencing the satisfaction and empowerment the Challenge brings all the participants.

Final Team Standings
Unofficial as of May 21, 2012 – includes total time

1 Team Lumber Liquidators: 6:18:03
2 Team Fire Strategies: 7:35:54
3 Team Atlas Shrugged: 8:42:56
4 Alteryx Avengers: 9:01:22
5 Semper Fi Alpha: 9:04:14
6 Team Pearl Myers: 9:06:26
7 Semper Fi Bravo: 9:43:31
8 Alteryx Fuzzy Match: 10:13:36
9 Team Spofit: 10:40:49
10 Alteryx Armadillos: 10:48:48
11 Alteryx Team Clarissa: 10:55:33
12 Alteryx Force: 11:37:46
13 Team Crump: 11:41:14
14 Team Who Says I Can’t: 11:41:51

Watch the start of Stage Two on Sunday, May 20

Watch Team Lumber Liquidators win the championship on Sunday, May 20

BNY Mellon Joins 2012 Sea to Shining Sea Cross-Country Bicycle Ride as Sponsor

Richard Rhinehart — Mon, 21 May 2012 14:57:48 +0000

Military Heroes Riding 4,000 Miles Coast-to-Coast Starting May 28

By Richard Rhinehart

Holbrook, New York, May 21, 2012: World T.E.A.M. Sports CEO and President Paul Tyler announced today that BNY Mellon, the global leader in investment management and investment services, has joined as a sponsor of the second Sea to Shining Sea cross-country bicycle ride with wounded warriors from America’s military.

BNY Mellon is providing critical financial support for this year’s ride, which leaves San Francisco on May 28 and arrives in Virginia Beach, Virginia on July 28. The ride includes 20 disabled veterans from all services, who will ride bicycles, hand cycles and recumbents on their nearly 4,000 mile cross-country journey through 14 states. Cities included in the 2012 ride include Reno, Salt Lake City, Denver, Colorado Springs, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Washington D.C., and Richmond.

“We are proud to have our riders carry the BNY Mellon logo on their personal journey across the country this summer,” said Tyler. “We’re honored that BNY Mellon chose to support our effort to recognize the riders for both their sacrifice and resiliency.”

Participants of the Sea to Shining Sea ride include veterans who live with disabilities ranging from loss of limbs to blindness to Post Traumatic Stress. Veterans in the ride served America in wars from Afghanistan and Iraq to Vietnam.

“We’re very proud to sponsor the 2012 Sea to Shining Sea ride in support of military veterans who have made tremendous sacrifices for our nation,” said Brian T. Shea, Chief Executive Officer of BNY Mellon’s Pershing unit. “Not only do these brave American heroes serve and protect our country, they bring their valuable leadership experience back into our communities and businesses. Sea to Shining Sea is a truly inspiring event that reflects the triumph and determination of the human spirit.”

The 2012 Sea to Shining Sea ride is supported through sponsorships by State Farm, American Portfolios, MWV, Dominion, the Semper Fi Foundation, the USO, BNY Mellon, General Electric, GM Fleet and Commercial, Brown Shoe Company and Famous Footwear, Energizer Holdings, Altria, EnerSys, Occidental Petroleum, Magaschoni Apparel, Penske Truck Rental, Vedder Price, the El Pomar Foundation and George Puskar.

For further information about the Sea to Shining Sea ride or to track the riders progress, visit the official ride website. To tweet your message of support for the riders, use #S2SSbike.

About BNY Mellon
BNY Mellon is a leading global provider of financial services for institutions, corporations and high-net-worth individuals, offering superior investment management and investment services. In addition, the company responds to the needs of communities by supporting organizations that advance the quality of life where its employees work, live and do business. BNY Mellon has a comprehensive corporate social responsibility program linked to its business priorities, with a strong emphasis on ethics, transparency and risk management, along with operational reliability, governance and stakeholder engagement. The company’s demonstrated excellence in the fundamental aspects of CSR such as employee engagement, community involvement and environmental sustainability include contributing $100 million around the world over the past three years to strengthen the communities in which its employees live and work. Additional information is available at our website or follow us on Twitter@BNYMellon.

About World T.E.A.M. Sports
World T.E.A.M. Sports is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization chartered in North Carolina and headquartered in Holbrook, New York. For more than 20 years, World T.E.A.M. Sports has organized athletic events for disabled and able bodied citizens – mountain climbing, white water rafting, biking, and more. In all our events – whether mountain climbing, biking, white water rafting or many other sports – we include both disabled and able-bodied participants. Four things always happen at our events: 1) Disabled participants build self-confidence and physical fitness. 2) The disabled provide a role model for other disabled citizens, encouraging them to take up physical activities. 3) The disabled become a moving inspiration to other participants and to spectators when they see that disabled individuals can meet challenges beyond anyone’s imagination. 4) The disabled and able-bodied participants learn to work as a team to overcome those challenges. We change lives through sports.

2012 Sea to Shining Sea Cross-Country Bicycle Ride Welcomes Semper Fi Fund as a Sponsor

Richard Rhinehart — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:52:39 +0000

By Richard Rhinehart

Holbrook, New York, May 18, 2012: World T.E.A.M. Sports CEO and President Paul Tyler announced today that the Semper Fi Fund, a nonprofit providing financial support for injured and critically ill members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families, has joined as a sponsor of the second Sea to Shining Sea cross-country bicycle ride with wounded warriors from America’s military.

The Semper Fi Fund is providing financial support for Marines participating in this year’s ride, which leaves San Francisco on May 28 and arrives in Virginia Beach, Virginia on July 28. The ride includes 20 disabled veterans from all services, who will ride bicycles, hand cycles and recumbents on their nearly 4,000 mile cross-country journey through 14 states. Cities included in the 2012 ride include Reno, Salt Lake City, Denver, Colorado Springs, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Washington D.C., and Richmond.

“The Semper Fi Fund is honored to be sponsoring United States Marines, LCpl James Sheehan and Sgt Michael Manning in their participation in World T.E.A.M. Sports Sea to Shining Sea ride. We wish James, Michael and all the riders a safe trip as they take on the adventure of a lifetime riding across our nation and help to raise awareness for our injured and critically ill service members and families,” said Karen Guenther, Founder/President/CEO, of the Semper Fi Fund.

“We are proud to have our riders carry the Semper Fi Fund logo on their personal journey across the country this summer,” said Tyler. “Their support has enabled a group of proud wounded warriors to see the country they so valiantly defended.”

The 2012 Sea to Shining Sea ride is supported through sponsorships by State Farm, American Portfolios, MWV, Dominion, the Semper Fi Foundation, the USO, BNY – Mellon, General Electric, GM Fleet and Commercial, Brown Shoe Company and Famous Footwear, Energizer Holdings, Altria, EnerSys, Occidental Petroleum, Magaschoni Apparel, Penske Truck Rental, Vedder Price, the El Pomar Foundation and George Puskar.

For further information about the Sea to Shining Sea ride, visit the official ride website.

About the Semper Fi Fund

Since 2006, Team Semper Fi has operated as the rehabilitative athletic program of the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, a nonprofit that provides immediate financial support to qualified injured and critically ill service members and their families.

The over 335 service members who are a part of Team Semper Fi have overcome significant challenges in their service to our country, and have refused to let those challenges prevent them from competing in athletic events. They are an inspiration to us all, but more importantly, they inspire their fellow service members who are also traveling down the road to recovery.

About World T.E.A.M. Sports

World T.E.A.M. Sports is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization chartered in North Carolina and headquartered in Holbrook, New York. For more than 20 years, World T.E.A.M. Sports has organized athletic events for disabled and able bodied citizens – mountain climbing, white water rafting, biking, and more. In all our events – whether mountain climbing, biking, white water rafting or many other sports – we include both disabled and able-bodied participants. Four things always happen at our events: 1) Disabled participants build self-confidence and physical fitness. 2) The disabled provide a role model for other disabled citizens, encouraging them to take up physical activities. 3) The disabled become a moving inspiration to other participants and to spectators when they see that disabled individuals can meet challenges beyond anyone’s imagination. 4) The disabled and able-bodied participants learn to work as a team to overcome those challenges. We change lives through sports.

World T.E.A.M. Sports Welcomes the USO as a Sponsor of the 2012 Sea to Shining Sea Cross-Country Bicycle Ride

Richard Rhinehart — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:21:31 +0000

By Richard Rhinehart

Holbrook, New York, May 17, 2012: World T.E.A.M. Sports CEO and President Paul Tyler announced today that the USO, a private, nonprofit military support organization, has joined as a sponsor of the second Sea to Shining Sea cross-country bicycle ride with wounded warriors from America’s military.

The USO is providing valuable field support for this year’s ride, which leaves San Francisco on May 28 and arrives in Virginia Beach, Virginia on July 28. The ride includes 20 disabled veterans from all services, who will ride bicycles, hand cycles and recumbents on their nearly 4,000 mile cross-country journey through 14 states. Cities included in the 2012 ride include Reno, Salt Lake City, Denver, Colorado Springs, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Washington D.C., and Richmond.

“We’re honored that the USO chose to support our effort to recognize the riders for both their sacrifice and resiliency,” said Tyler. “Support from an organization like the USO means so much to this group of riders who will dedicate two months of their lives to crossing the country they defended.”

For further information about the Sea to Shining Sea ride, visit the official ride website.

About the USO
The USO (United Service Organizations) lifts the spirits of America’s troops and their families millions of times each year at hundreds of places worldwide. We provide a touch of home through centers at airports and military bases in the U.S. and abroad, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services. We also provide critical support to those who need us most, including forward-deployed troops, military families, wounded warriors and their families and the families of the fallen.

The USO is a private, nonprofit organization, not a government agency. We rely on the generosity of our volunteers and donors. In addition to individual donors and corporate sponsors, the USO is supported by President’s Circle Partners: American Airlines, AT&T, Clear Channel, Kangaroo Express, Kroger, Lowe’s, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Procter & Gamble, and TriWest Healthcare Alliance and Worldwide Strategic Partners: BAE Systems, The Boeing Company, The Coca-Cola Company, Lockheed Martin, and Microsoft Corporation. We are also supported through the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381). To join us in this patriotic mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit our website.

Cross-Country Sea to Shining Sea Ride Welcomes Dominion as Sponsor

Richard Rhinehart — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:19:30 +0000

By Richard Rhinehart

Holbrook, New York, May 16, 2012: World T.E.A.M. Sports CEO and President Paul Tyler announced today that The Dominion Foundation and Dominion Virginia Power have joined as a sponsor of the second Sea to Shining Sea cross-country bicycle ride with wounded warriors from America’s military.

Dominion is providing $50,000 for this year’s ride, which leaves San Francisco on May 28 and arrives in Virginia Beach, Virginia on July 28. The ride includes 20 disabled veterans from all services, who will ride bicycles, hand cycles and recumbents on their nearly 4,000 mile cross-country journey through 14 states. Cities included in the 2012 ride include Reno, Salt Lake City, Denver, Colorado Springs, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Washington D.C., and Richmond.

“We are proud to employ veterans in our work force,” said Virginia M. Board, president of The Dominion Foundation and managing director of community affairs for Dominion Resources. “And we appreciate how this cross-country ride highlights the determined spirit of our nation’s wounded warriors.”

The grant is being made through The Dominion Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dominion Resources.

“We welcome Dominion as a sponsor of our Sea to Shining Sea ride,” said Tyler. “Their support has enabled a group of proud wounded warriors to see the country they so valiantly defended.”

For further information about the Sea to Shining Sea ride, visit the official ride website.

About Dominion
The Dominion Foundation is dedicated to improving the physical, social and economic well-being of the communities served by Dominion companies, including Dominion Virginia Power and Dominion North Carolina Power. For more information about Dominion, visit the company’s website. Follow Dominion Virginia Power on Twitter . ‘Like’ Dominion on Facebook.

Dominion Virginia Power media contact:
Daisy Pridgen, (804) 771-6115, Daisy.Pridgen@dom.com

MeadWestvaco Joins as 2012 Sea to Shining Sea Cross-Country Bicycle Ride Sponsor

Richard Rhinehart — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:03:32 +0000

By Richard Rhinehart

Holbrook, New York, May 15, 2012: World T.E.A.M. Sports CEO and President Paul Tyler announced today that MeadWestvaco (MWV), one of the world’s leading packaging solutions corporations, has joined as a sponsor of the second Sea to Shining Sea cross-country bicycle ride with wounded warriors from our nation’s military.

MWV is providing financial support for this year’s ride, which leaves San Francisco on May 28 and arrives in Virginia Beach, Virginia on July 28. The ride includes 20 disabled veterans, who will ride bicycles, hand cycles and recumbents on their nearly 4,000 mile cross-country journey through 14 states. Cities included in the 2012 ride include Reno, Salt Lake City, Denver, Colorado Springs, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Washington D.C., and Richmond.

“Support from an organization like MWV means so much to this group of riders who will dedicate two months of their lives to crossing the country they defended,” said Tyler.

“One of MWV’s core responsibilities is to support communities where we live and operate – it’s easy to carry out this commitment with great organizations and events like these,” shared Ned Massee, vice president, Corporate Affairs. “We are proud to support the Sea to Shining Sea ride and look forward to welcoming the riders back to Richmond.”

For further information about the Sea to Shining Sea ride, visit the official ride website.

About MeadWestvaco Corporation
MeadWestvaco Corporation (NYSE: MWV), provides packaging solutions to many of the world’s most-admired brands in the healthcare, beauty and personal care, food, beverage, home and garden, and tobacco industries. The company’s businesses also include Specialty Chemicals, and the Community Development and Land Management Group, which sustainably manages the company’s land holdings to support its operations, and to provide for conservation, recreation and development opportunities. With 15,000 employees worldwide, MWV operates in 30 countries and serves customers in more than 100 nations. MWV manages all of its forestlands in accordance with internationally recognized forest certification standards, and has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for eight consecutive years. For more information, please visit our website.

2012 Sea to Shining Sea Cross-Country Bicycle Ride Welcomes American Portfolios as a Sponsor

Richard Rhinehart — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:57:19 +0000

By Richard Rhinehart

Holbrook, New York, May 14, 2012: World T.E.A.M. Sports (WTS) CEO and President Paul Tyler announced today that leading financial services company and independent broker/dealer American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. (APFS) has joined as a sponsor of the second Sea to Shining Sea cross-country bicycle ride with wounded warriors from America’s military.

“We’re honored that American Portfolios chose to support our effort to recognize the rider for both their sacrifice and resiliency,” said Tyler. “Their support means so much to this group of riders who will dedicate two months of their lives to crossing the country they defended.”

American Portfolios is providing financial support for this year’s ride, which leaves San Francisco on May 28 and arrives in Virginia Beach, Virginia on July 28. The ride includes 20 disabled veterans from all services, who will ride bicycles, hand cycles and recumbents on their nearly 4,000 mile cross-country journey through 14 states. Cities included in the 2012 ride include Reno, Salt Lake City, Denver, Colorado Springs, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Washington D.C., and Richmond.

Said APFS CEO and WTS board member Lon T. Dolber, “One of the core values at APFS—in addition to nurturing the futures of our employees, propelling the businesses of our affiliated financial professionals located nationwide and providing value to our shareholders—is giving back to the communities in which we live and serve and creating relationships with those who do the same. We have supported World T.E.A.M. Sports for over five years and have been humbled and inspired during our participation in more than a dozen WTS sponsored sporting events in team partnership with this extraordinary community of people from all backgrounds with disabilities.”

The 2012 Sea to Shining Sea ride is supported through sponsorships by State Farm, American Portfolios, MWV, Dominion, the Semper Fi Foundation, the USO, BNY Mellon, General Electric, GM FCO, Brown Shoe Company and Famous Footwear, Energizer Holdings, Altria, EnerSys, Occidental Petroleum, Magaschoni, Penske Truck Rental, Vedder Price, the El Pomar Foundation and George Puskar.

For further information about the Sea to Shining Sea ride, visit the official 2012 ride website.

About American Portfolios

Headquartered in Holbrook, NY, APFS is a full-service independent broker/dealer and member firm of FINRA and SIPC, offering a complete range of financial services, including personal financial and retirement planning, securities trading, mutual funds, access to investment research, long-term care planning, insurance products and tax-free investing. Fee-based asset management is offered through its sister subsidiary, American Portfolios Advisors, Inc., (APA), an SEC registered investment advisor. Both entities, along with technology division American Outsources, LLC (AO) collectively reside under the legal entity, American Portfolios Holdings, Inc. Full-service securities brokerage is available through a clearing firm relationship with Pershing, LLC, a BNY Mellon firm, the securities of which are held on a fully disclosed basis. The company currently serves more than 786 independent investment professionals located in 362 branch locations throughout the nation.

About World T.E.A.M. Sports

Wounded warriors from our nation’s military to cross the United States

Richard Rhinehart — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:13:20 +0000

World T.E.A.M. Sports’ Second Sea to Shining Sea Cross-Country Bicycle Ride powered by State Farm® starts May 28th in San Francisco

Holbrook, New York, May 7, 2012: World T.E.A.M. Sports’ CEO and President Paul Tyler announced today that the second Sea to Shining Sea Cross-Country Bicycle Ride with wounded warriors from our nation’s military will leave San Francisco on May 28 and arrive in Virginia Beach, Virginia July 28. State Farm is returning as the presenting sponsor.

The ride includes 20 disabled veterans, who live with disabilities ranging from loss of limbs to Post Traumatic Stress. Veterans in the ride served America in wars from Afghanistan and Iraq to Vietnam. Participants will ride bicycles, hand cycles and recumbents on their nearly 4,000 mile cross-country journey through 14 states.

Cities in the 2012 ride include Reno, Salt Lake City, Denver, Colorado Springs, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Washington D.C., and Richmond.

“Recognizing the commitment and sacrifices of these wounded warriors and veterans of our military services is important for all Americans,” said Tyler. “State Farm through their generous support shows that they care deeply about these issues.”

“State Farm is proud to again show support for the courage of these exceptional riders as they trek across the country,” says Kellie Clapper, Assistant Vice President for State Farm. “This endeavor proves disabled Americans can accomplish amazing and inspiring feats.”

State Farm’s commitment to service men and women extends more than 65 years with a world-class military leave policy and through its support of company programs like the employee Military Affinity Group, Adopt-a-Soldier, the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) and now its second sponsorship of the Sea To Shining Sea cross-country bike ride.

The 2012 Sea to Shining Sea ride is supported through additional sponsorships by American Portfolios, MWV, Dominion Electric, the Semper Fi Foundation, the USO, the Bank of New York – Pershing, General Electric, General Motors, Brown Shoes, Energizer, Altria, Enersys, Occidental Petroleum, Magaschoni Apparel, Penske Truck Rental, Vedder Price, the El Pomar Foundation and George Puskar.

For further information about the Sea to Shining Sea ride, visit the official ride website.

About State Farm
State Farm and its affiliates are the largest provider of car insurance in the U.S. and is a leading insurer in Canada. In addition to providing auto insurance quotes, their 17,800 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts – more than 79 million auto, home, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is also available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 37 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com or in Canada http://www.statefarm.ca.

Warrior 100K Features Six Wounded Warriors from World T.E.A.M. Sports

Richard Rhinehart — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:10:00 +0000

By Richard Rhinehart
Amarillo, Texas, April 17, 2012: For 20 wounded warriors from America’s military, spending a weekend riding mountain bikes in the second annual Warrior 100K will offer an opportunity to meet other veterans as well as ride with their former commander-in-chief. In the colorful desert canyons of Palo Duro Canyon near Amarillo, participants will be challenged by the dry springtime heat, the rough terrain and by the competitive riding skills of President George W. Bush.

A program from The Bush Center’s Military Service Initiative, the Warrior 100K brings together disabled veterans from four leading military support programs for an extended weekend of riding and comradery with President Bush, an avid mountain biker who frequently rode at his Texas ranch and at Camp David during his presidency.

World T.E.A.M. Sports, the Holbrook, New York non-profit that creates inclusive sporting events for disabled and able-bodied participants, is a supporting organization of the Warrior 100K. Along with the Challenged Athletes Foundation, Ride 2 Recovery and the Wounded Warrior Project, World T.E.A.M. Sports is providing disabled veterans for the ride. Six veterans from four states will be riding with the World T.E.A.M. Sportsteam, an increase from the two veterans who participated in the inaugural 2011 ride.

GySgt John Szczepanowski, USMC, is an avid triathlete from Santee, California. Photograph courtesy John Szcepanowski.

GySgt John Szczepanowski, who serves with the San Diego-based USMC DISC Southern California Wounded Warrior Regiment, is World T.E.A.M. Sports’ team captain at the Warrior 100K. An avid triathlete who enjoys outdoor activities and sports, GySgt Szczepanowski began his career with the Marines in 1989. Serving at various bases worldwide, GySgt Szczepanowski spent two years in western Al Anbar Province in Iraq ending in 2010. During an assignment at Walter Reed National Naval Medical Center in Washington, he created and managed Team Semper Fi, a bicycling program which brings together wounded service members and care givers.

Daniel Carter portrait. Photograph courtesy Daniel Carter.

Daniel Carter from Winchester, California was deployed to Helmand Province in Afghanistan in November 2009 as a member of the Marines Corps. On February 10, 2010, Carter was injured when 200 pounds of explosives caused a mine-roller to land on top of him, rendering him unconscious. Currently undergoing treatment related to his injuries, Carter is attending junior college.

Chris Goehner portrait. Photograph courtesy Chris Goehner.

Chris Goehner from Ellensburg, Washington is a Navy veteran. Joining the service after graduating from high school in 2003, Goehner saw two deployments to Iraq. During both deployments, Goehner provided emergency medical care to the injured – in seven months, he provided care to over 1,200 persons. Owing to the severity of the trauma care he provided, Goehner developed symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and returned to the United States. Providing assistance to other veterans, Goehner will soon graduate from college with two bachelor’s degrees that will allow him to continue his desire to help others, and for Americans to “see veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder in a positive light and as a productive member of society.”

Adam Jahnke grew up in Plymouth, Wisconsin where he spent time hunting and fishing. At age 13, his family moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, his current home. Joining the Marines in 2005, he was deployed to Iraq and was “blown up a few times,” he recalls, resulting in traumatic brain injuries. “At the time,” he said, “I didn’t understand my injuries and like most Marines, wrote them off. It took a lot of pain medicine to remain operational.” The injuries took their toll, however, and once he returned to the United States, he discovered he was in trouble, both mentally and physically. Jahnke reports he “found myself lost and very alone. I didn’t want to be around anyone but the guys I served with. Drink was the only way I could fall asleep at night, even though I knew I would not be able to stay asleep.” Seeking treatment, Jahnke began receiving medication which provided more challenges. Eventually, he joined a cycling program, which has allowed him to travel across the country riding and racing. This helped him greatly, providing him with exercise and a purpose for life.

David Wright portrait. Photograph courtesy David Wright.

David Wright, a Marine Corps veteran from Omaha, Nebraska who served through November 2004, found himself deployed to both Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom and in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, fighting all the way to Baghdad. He served a second deployment in June 2004, where he participated in the battle for Fallujah. “On this tour,” David reports, “I sustained three traumatic brain injuries in three separate small arms exchanges, including one IED that knocked me unconscious.” Leaving the Marines, he “suffered through a serious bout of PTSD, and learned to deal with the change in behavior because of TBI as well.” Graduating in college in May 2009, he took a government clerical job, which he later left owing to issues from his time in the military. “I had to hit a deep low before I actually received help that I had always needed,” Wright said. He started bicycling as a hobby, finding the exercise helped with his depression and anxiety.

Matthew Zbiec portrait. Photograph courtesy Matthew Zbiec.

Sgt Matthew Zbiec was the first of his family to join the military. Ten days after high school graduation, he began boot camp with the Marines in San Diego. The Chicago native saw two deployments to Iraq. During the second, on October 10, 2005, Sgt Zbiec was hit by a hand-detonated Improvised Explosive Device. “I had just left my vehicle and was on foot when the IED was detonated eight feet away,” he reports. “To date, I have had 40+ surgeries directly related to the events.” Medically retired from the Marines in 2007, he married in November 2008 and is currently raising his family and working on his education from his home in La Mesa, California. “Both my wife and I aspire to one day be in a position to assist our combat wounded servicemen and women,” Sgt Zbiec said.

The Warrior 100K begins on April 26 and continues through April 28. The event is by invitation only and is not open to the public.

Cell Phone Recycling Program to Assist World T.E.A.M. Sports’ 2012 Sea to Shining Sea Cross-Country Ride

Richard Rhinehart — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 22:13:49 +0000

By Richard Rhinehart

Holbrook, New York, April 16, 2012 – Twenty wounded warriors from America’s military will undertake a cross-country journey by bicycle, recumbent and hand cycle this summer as participants in World T.E.A.M. Sports’ Sea to Shining Sea ride. Sponsored by State Farm, the nearly 4,000 mile ride will pass through cities and small communities in 14 states from coast to coast following departure from San Francisco May 28.

To support this dramatic cross-country journey by disabled veterans, World T.E.A.M. Sports has partnered with Recycle for People to collect unwanted used cell phones, particularly old smartphones, including i Phones, Android and BlackBerrys. For each phone donated, a contribution to World T.E.A.M. Sports will be made. Through the program’s unique website, interested persons can complete an online prepaid mailing label for submitting their unwanted phones. Each returned phone will help support the non-profit World T.E.A.M. Sports and its many inclusive events for disabled and able-bodied participants. Selected locations along the Sea to Shining Sea cross-country route will also accept cell phones for recycling, helping to protect our environment.

Recycle for People's World TEAM Sports cell phone recycling site.

The 2012 Sea to Shining Sea ride, ending in Virginia Beach, Virginia on July 28, is supported through sponsorships by State Farm, American Portfolios, MWV, Dominion Electric, the Semper Fi Foundation, the USO, the Bank of New York – Pershing, General Electric, General Motors, Brown Shoes, Energizer, Altria, Enersys, Occidental Petroleum, Magaschoni Apparel, Vedder Price, the El Pomar Foundation and George Puskar.

For further information about the Sea to Shining Sea ride, visit World T.E.A.M. Sports‘ official 2012 ride website.