Hundreds of cyclists, from all over the country, recently set off from Apache Junction, and cut across Las Sendas on a 47-mile route through the Valley, riding for the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Soldier Ride Phoenix.
A total of 21 warriors from Iraq and Afghanistan deployments spearheaded the column.
Bev Crupi, fitness instructor from Las Sendas, had recruited several cyclist friends for the WWP ride, and collected $4,000 in donations. On her team were her husband, Jim, and friends Patti Dennis, Scott Peterburs and Rosann Williams. Bev’s team, along with the U-Haul’s (sponsor) team of cyclists, raised about $17,000 for the WWP. All the money raised is matched by U-Haul.
Amidst the hustling bustling Lost Dutchman rodeo grounds, the warriors were gearing up for the challenge. Riding a bike was far from easy for some of the former soldiers. Many used custom-designed bikes with hand cranks or recumbent rides. Veterans’ groups and Patriot Riders stood by with flying colors for the send off.
Bev Crupi pulled the Las Sendas cycling team into the Soldier Ride through her daughter, Toni, who works for U-Haul, and has been participating for the last five years. They are dedicated to supporting WWP, mainly because Bev’s son, Jim, a senior chief in the Navy, who has been on seven mission deployments since 911.
“This is the only thing I can do to show him that I support all he has sacrificed in those years,” Bev explained. “The whole mantra of the Wounded Warriors is ‘everybody needs a purpose.’ This is what I live every day.
“And I love to see these men and women get their purpose back,” Bev continued. “I am not alone in this. I had a sponsor who donated $1,000, because his son, too, has been deployed two times, and he wanted to give back.”
Getting the purpose back was a big part of the WWP mission at the Apache Junction ride. The physical accomplishment of finishing the ride would continue to keep hope alive for these soldiers. Some scars cut deeper than the flesh.
“There is a team of brothers from New Mexico,” Bev said. “One became a quadriplegic from a sniper bullet in Iraq in 2005. The other brother got hit in a bomb attack last year in Afghanistan. He is now using a custom bike to pull along his brother.”
She meant Erik and Devin Shei. Erik, on his custom-designed ride, donated by U-Haul, seemed elated to feel the road wind on his face. His brother, Devin, a Purple Heart recipient, stepped into the pedals for him, while other riders pushed them forward.
Shannon Kramer, from Salt Lake City, was riding in honor of her son, Sergeant Aaron Kramer. Aaron perished in a firefight with the Taliban on Sept. 16, 2010. His twin brother, Brandon, safely retired from the Army this April
Bev met Shannon at last year’s Soldier Ride in Phoenix, where they formed an instant connection. Shannon’s team, called Freedom, has 10 members. “Today we are only two, but it all adds up,” Shannon said, having raised more than $1,000.
Ben Lunak, a top athlete from Phoenix, lost his leg four years ago as the result of an improvised explosive device (IED) in Iraq. He has a tattoo of Saddam’s mosque on his arm. He likes to snowboard or compete in WWP extreme cross-fit championships.
“Ben is a fabulous guy,” said Joanne Fried, U-Haul director of media and public relations. “He has a good heart, and has been such an inspiration to everybody. He even did tricks on his bike to entertain us all, despite his injury.”
Sergeant Michael Proscia, from Phoenix, a former Marine, got into the thick of things in Iraq, where he provided convoy security for the Arizona National Guard. He experienced numerous IED attacks.
“We were hit three times in less than 36 hours,” Michael recalled. On two different occasions, this sergeant fooled the medics because he did not want to leave his men in combat. After the third hit, and severely injured, he had to be MEDEVAC’d out of the disaster zone.
Michael’s list of injury includes spinal cord damage, ankle fractures, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. He champions the WWP cause, be it on bike saddle or horse saddle, because it has helped him a lot to live again.
“This is a great feeling,” Michael said. “I thought I would never be able to get out and ride again. It is great to get out with the other soldiers and experience the camaraderie. The support from U-Haul has been outstanding.”
By the end of the day, donations for the WWP had reached $53,000, but were predicted to reach $75,000 by the end of the campaign in November. The restitution and rehabilitation of wounded warriors’ lives are comprehensive tasks.
“The WWP were the first ones at my bedside to take care of me and my family,” Norbe Lara said in his rally speech. He had lost his arm in a 2004 Iraq mission.
“If you could do 10,000 things before,” Norbe continued, “don’t focus on the 1,000 that you can’t do anymore. Focus on the 9,000 that you can do.” He than added a very important point. “I have been able to overcome my obstacles,” Norbe said, “by helping other people overcome theirs.”
Moving forward with the WWP is empowering and rekindles hope. “The Schei family, like so many others, is a true testament to the outstanding sacrifice and service given not only by warriors, but the families and caregivers critical to their recovery,” U-Haul’s team leader Joanne stated.
Thus, some compassionate Las Sendas residents had chosen to help the WWP raise hope for injured soldiers. Although we can greatly empathize, we can only begin to understand. You had to have been there to know what it was like.
Support your soldiers. It will be profoundly appreciated.
If you would like to find out more about the Wounded Warrior Project, or to make a donation, go to http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Wounded Warrior Project on YouTube
Ben Lunak, cross-fit, Fight Gone Bad competition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YQczyZ9SVg
Erik and Devin Schei, Soldier Ride Phoenix 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksIA-sn1HxE