Wounded Warrior Project Participating in Warrior 100 Mountain Bike Ride with President Bush to Support and Honor Wounded Veterans

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Beginning on April 25th, four Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) alumni will be mountain biking 100-kilometers over three days with President George W. Bush in Big Bend Ranch State Park, Texas. Warrior 100 (W100) will highlight the bravery and physical strength of U.S. service members who have served our country honorably in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We are honored to be a part of the W100 and appreciate the on-going support from President Bush," says Wounded Warrior Project Executive Director Steve Nardizzi. "Events like these play an important role in the physical and emotional recovery for wounded warriors."

WWP programs are uniquely structured to nurture the mind and body, and encourage economic empowerment and engagement. Our Physical Health & Wellness programs optimize the physical and psychological well-being of warriors through comprehensive recreation and sports programs, physical health promotion strategies, and physical rehabilitation. Soldier Ride is an initiative that provides adaptive cycling opportunities across the country to help wounded warriors. WWP also provides activities such as snowboarding, skiing, hunting, fishing, archery, hiking, and camping to wounded warriors to adapt to life after injury.

Over 40,000 troops have been physically wounded during the current military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hundreds of thousands more are estimated to be recovering from invisible wounds of war, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depression, and traumatic brain injury (TBI). WWP empowers warriors with the tools essential to not just survive their injuries but to thrive and achieve personal and professional success.

"This is an opportunity of a life-time and an honor to be sharing my passion of mountain biking and riding together with President Bush," says Sergeant First Class Dillon Behr (Ret.) of Arlington, Virginia. Dillon, a Silver Star recipient will be riding along with Staff Sergeant Kenny Butler (Ret.) of Barre, Vermont; Sergeant Bryce Cole (Ret.) of Cypress, Texas; Specialist Jake Lerner (Ret) of Jacksonville, Florida.

For media interviews during the event, please contact Hannah Abney, [email protected].  For more information, please visit woundedwarriorproject.org.

About Wounded Warrior Project

The mission of the Wounded Warrior Project® is to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP's purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and service to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, FL. To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org

SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project