Soldiers, WTU Join Together during Texas Challenge

Article by and photos by Staff Sgt. Gregory Sanders, 85^th Civil Affairs Brigade Public Affairs

 FORT HOOD–Soldiers assigned to the 85^th Civil Affairs Brigade joined a group of riders at III Corps Headquarters April 19 to participate in the 2012 Ride to Recovery.  Beginning in San Antonio, the group is making their way to Arlington, Texas, where the Texas Challenge portion of the ride will conclude.

    One participant, Maj. Andreas Wooten, future operations officer, 85^th Civil Affairs Brigade, participated in the event in order to challenge himself, as well as show support for the honorary participants.

   “I’ve always enjoyed bicycling and saw this [opportunity] and I really wanted to give something back,” said Wooten.

   More than just a physical challenge, the event is intended to give back to those Soldiers who have sacrificed more than just time.

   “We don’t ever want to forget the sacrifices they’ve made,” said Wooten.”They are all volunteers just like us.  They are still important to our culture and to the Army.”

  The Texas portion of the Ride 2 Recovery is just one of many rides happening throughout the country at varying dates.  Produced by the Fitness Challenge Foundation, in partnership with the Military and Veterans Affairs Volunteer Service Office, the event is focused on providing mental and physical rehabilitative programs for wounded veterans.

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Maj. Andreas Wooten, an operations officer assigned to the 85th Civil Affairs Brigade, reaches out to shake the hand of a Ride 2 Recovery Participant Thursday, April 19 as they arrived at III Corps Headquarters prior to the start of the day’s ride.  The 65-mile leg of the Texas Challenge was to start on post and conclude in Waco, Texas.  The ride supports rehabilitative programs for physically and mentally wounded veterans from all branches of service.