Veterans to ride
Blue Hen Veterans to participate in two-day Face of America bicycle ride
12:56 p.m., March 26, 2015--For the second year in a row, members of the University of Delaware Blue Hen Veterans organization will take part in the two-day, 110-mile Face of America ride.
This year’s event will be held April 24-26.
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One of the largest non-competitive rides in the region, the all-inclusive ride -- meaning both able-bodied riders and riders with disabilities cycle together – will start at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and stop at the historic Civil War battlefield of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
The goal of the ride is to raise awareness of and funding for adaptive athletic events while at the same time honoring the men and women who were wounded while in the service of the United States.
The event empowers individuals to move past their disabilities through athletic endeavor, which is why UD student veterans participate, a representative of Blue Hen Veterans said. Members note that transitioning from the military world to a civilian campus can be difficult and cause people to feel disconnected.
In support of UD’s student veterans, University Parking Services has donated abandoned bicycles to members of the Blue Hen Veterans who wanted to participate in the ride but did not have a bicycle.
Jennifer Barnes, a graduate student in physical therapy and a member of Blue Hen Veterans, said she is “very appreciative of the bicycles donated by UD.”
According to Barnes, “Team participation in this event is a big endeavor and one that we could not accomplish without support.”
José-Luis Riera, dean of students, said, “On behalf of the Campus Veteran’s Working Group, I want to thank Parking Services for partnering with UD’s Blue Hen Veterans in this way. Supporting student veteran initiatives such as the Face of America ride helps to demonstrate UD’s commitment to the academic and personal success of our veteran and service member community. In turn, our veterans and service members can gain a sense of belonging on campus.”
Bicycles donated by UD were taken to Newark Bike Project where mechanics worked with the student organization to inspect, repair and replace equipment as needed.
For more on Blue Hen Veterans and its participation in the Face of America ride, see the website.
Student veterans or service members seeking support in their academic, social or personal success are welcome to visit this resource webpage or contact the Office of the Dean of Students for an appointment.
Photo by Evan Krape