Wounded Warrior Project / Freedom Memorial Walkway

 

                        From:                 Jarrod Lyman-Vice President, CVB                                  (928) 453-3444 x134

                                                              

For Immediate Release

Events added to Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride

 

LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. – Lake Havasu City has a number of patriotically themed events planned for the latter half of this month.

 

The Wounded Warrior Project's Soldier Ride will be in Lake Havasu City September 24. The group is composed of men and women who have returned from the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq with serious, life altering injuries. "Many of these men and women have been physically active throughout their lives. Soldier Ride offers these brave individuals the chance to get on a bike and prove to themselves, 'I can still do this.' Soldier Ride is not about politics; it's not about the war. It's simply about the soldiers," said Woody Groton with the Wounded Warrior Project who is organizing the ride, which takes place in Phoenix, Lake Havasu City and then Las Vegas.

 

A dedication ceremony is taking place the morning the soldiers are in town. Part of that ceremony will include the dedication of a segment of the Memorial Walkway under construction as part of the Freedom Bridge Foundation. "What more of a lasting impression can we make on these men and women who gave so much of themselves for our country, than by immortalizing them in this memorial walkway to those who serve in our armed forces," said Gary Meyers, Chairman of the Freedom Bridge Committee. ""These are the very people who motivated this entire (Freedom Memorial Walkway) project," he said.  Donors from around the community and beyond purchased bricks for each of the soldiers taking part in the ride.

 

The public is asked to attend the ceremony, which starts promptly at 8:30 the morning of September 24. "We all talk about supporting the troops. This is a great opportunity to really show that support," said Jarrod Lyman, who is part of the organizing committee for the event. "I want everyone in the community to show their support."

 

The school district has offered their support as well. "The school district supports our wounded veterans and is very happy to support the Wounded Warrior Project. Any parent that takes their children to that event will not be counted as tardy that day," said Lake Havasu Unified School District Superintendent Gail Malay. "Attending this ceremony will be part of our students' education on citizenship."

 

Supporters can also gather along the ride route, which can be found at www.woundedwarriorproject.org then click on Soldier Ride.  The ride will stop at the new Mall at 11 am for a half-time water break, then finish at the Hampton Inn where crowds are also asked to gather to welcome the riders back in. "The Rotary Clubs have changed their meeting schedule to coincide with their return so we can welcome them back," Meyers said. "We'd love to have even more people from the community there to show their support."

 

A new addition to the schedule of events is the National Premier screening of the independent film Who Will Stand, a movie documenting the Soldier Ride and the issues facing returning veterans. "This is a powerful film showing the continuing sacrifices the men and women of our armed forces have to make," said Gary Meyers, Chairman of the Freedom Bridge Committee and one of the organizers of the event. "It's impossible to see this film and not be moved by it."

 

There will be two special showings of the movie. One, Monday, September 22, will be a special, VIP, invitation only screening. There will be numerous invited guests, including those who have already donated a brick. The showing starts at 7 pm.

 

Following the screening is a celebration at Barley Brother's Brewery, featuring the new Freedom Brick Ale brewed especially for the Freedom Bridge Foundation. "This is a great partnership between us and Barley Brother's," Meyers said. "It will raise both awareness and funds for the goals of the Foundation.

 

A second screening on Tuesday will be open to the general public. Entrance will cost $7, with most proceeds going to the Wounded Warrior Project.

 

For more information, contact the Lake Havasu City Convention and Visitors Bureau at (928) 453-3444.