Why do I want to ride across the United States?

I have enjoyed sports all my life. When I returned home from Viet Nam, biking, running and swimming really helped me to adjust both mentally and physically back into civilian life.

Riding my bicycle across the United States has been a dream of mine since I left the military. I wanted to be able to meet the people who have made our country what it is today and to be able to take a close up view of the beauty of our country.

I am blessed to be in a place in life where I can take the time and am physically able to live my dream of riding across the United States. I consider this a real gift of life and because of this, I wanted to be able to give back. I decided to dedicate my ride to the men and women veterans and their families by raising funds on behalf of the Fisher House Foundation.

When I retired I made it my goal to give back in any way I could because I have been so blessed in life with my health, a wonderful and supportive family and a successful career.

Why the Fisher House Foundation?

A few years ago while I was skiing, I met a young man who is a Montgomery County School teacher whose name is Joe. Joe told me about how his work with amputees teaching them to kayak and canoe with their artificial limbs. Joe did this on his own time and he paid for all the additional equipment with his own money. His efforts to help really made an lasting impression on me. Joe also made me aware of the Fisher House Foundation and how all the young men and women he helped had benefited from the Fisher House Foundation.

Based upon those conversations with Joe, I began to research the Fisher House Foundation.  As a result, I discovered that the Foundation is a private-public partnership and builds and provides homes on the grounds of major military or VA medical centers to be used by our wounded veterans and their families. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one during the stressful time of hospitalization for an injury, illness or disease. Many times the foundation may also provide transportation for the service member's families to major military or VA medical centers. They also provide an education scholarship program for the children of these veterans.

This was the reason I decided to dedicate my ride to the wounded veterans and their families and raise funds and awareness on behalf of the Fisher House Foundation. My wife became a partner with me for this endeavor.  We have mailed and emailed family, friends and past work associates with a personal letter asking for their support for the Fisher House Foundation.  I also established an on-line first giving site where individuals can donate on line. 

Also as part of my training over the winter I began to participate in spinning classes at our local Fitness First fitness center at Layhill. During one of the spinning sessions I discussed my ride with a trainer named Gerry. From that moment on Gerry became one of my most active supporters.  Gerry then proceeded to work with Brian the manager to make the necessary arrangements for a fund raising Spin-A-Thon and silent auction. In addition to raising funds for the Fisher House Foundation, we were able to make others aware of the wonderful and necessary work this foundation provides.

During this fund raising effort my wife and I were truly amazed at the outpouring of kindness and generosity of our family and our friends new and old.  As a result we have had the opportunity to develop new friendships both near and far.  An example is a friendship I have developed with a young man Ed Acevedo who is also riding his bicycle across the southern part of the United States to raise funds and awareness for wounded veterans and the Fisher House Foundation.

I am hopeful that while riding across the United States I can make others aware of the work of the Fisher House Foundation.

Additional Information about the Fisher House Foundation

Fisher Houses provide "a home away from home" for our military and veterans families during times of medical crises - similar to Ronald McDonald houses, but for the military and veterans communities.

Fisher Houses serve as a tangible symbol of our support for the military.

The program has now offered more than two million nights of lodging to families in need.

The homes are built on government land and given as a gift to the Secretary of the respective service.  They in turn agree to operate and maintain the home, allowing the Foundation to focus on meeting the needs of the next community and blessing others.

The program was designed in peacetime.... But has proven invaluable in war.

The network now consists of 38 homes across the country and in Europe, with five more under construction.  There are six in the DC area (3 at Walter Reed, 2 at Bethesda, and one at Andrews AFB).

Is this something the government should be doing?  The government really does a great job of what they are authorized to do... Problem is - What they are authorized to do and a family's needs - can be two different things.  Fisher House tries to bridge that gap.  Why should we wait for the government to solve these problems when we can have the privilege of helping these deserving families.

When a person walks through the door of a Fisher House, everyone involved wants them to know there are others who care about them - and support them in their time of need.

A capital program commitment now exceeds $20 million for this year alone.  It is the largest expansion of the program....just considering the number of houses.  What you should also know is that many of these houses are three times the size of the original design!

The Fisher House Foundation learned a lot about the needs of our casualties and have modified the design to include adding an elevator, and many handicapped-accessible features given the role these houses now play in the recovery and rehabilitation process. 

They have sought opportunities to better meet the needs of our military families.  From the onset of operations in Afghanistan, they made the commitment that no family supporting a loved one coming back from a combat theater would pay to stay in a Fisher House. 

The Fisher House Foundation also have established Hero Miles to reunite families at the bedside.  Over the past 4 years more than 10,000 flights have been provided though the use of donated frequent flier miles.

When Operation Iraqi Freedom began - supporting our military was a national priority.  As operations continue, and this conflict goes on.... It's only natural that there are those people in America who have let their priorities slip.  But not at Fisher House.  From day one, the priority has been caring for our wounded heroes - and so it is today.  The Fisher House Foundation commitment today is nothing if not stronger, and everyone involved in in supporting the Fisher Houses are the ones who are richer for it.

We need to remember that not all battles are fought on a battlefield.  For many of those wounded, their battles are just beginning and we have the opportunity to come alongside and provide some encouragement and much needed assistance.

It is difficult to express what a privilege it is ..... to be able to help these families during what is a most difficult time for them.  I now know why Zachary Fisher was so committed to helping those we call our greatest national treasure.... Our military service men and women and their loved ones.

What impact can your gift have:

$5 to $10 can provide an airline ticket to reunite a family member with their wounded hero

$10 provides a night's lodging for a family at the Bethesda Fisher House.

It's about $70 to provide a night's lodging for a family at the Navy Lodge, the next best option when the Fisher House is full.

You can designate your gift to support any of the local Fisher Houses, help sponsor a family, or help build a house to meet the critical needs of our military families.  Undesignated gifts will be used where needed most.