University News
"Sea to Shining Sea" Riders Through La Harpe, Good Hope, Bushnell July 2; Volunteers Needed
June 18, 2010
MACOMB, IL – A team of injured veterans representing all military branches will travel through LaHarpe (Hancock County) and the McDonough County towns of Good Hope and Bushnell Friday, July 2 for World T.E.A.M. Sports' inaugural bike trek across America called "Sea to Shining Sea."
Many of the riders are wounded Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. They are participants in the 63-day, 4,000-mile San Francisco-to-Virginia Beach journey meant to honor the courage of America's service men and women, to recognize the strength of the American spirit and to challenge perceptions of how we view athletes, according to the Sea to Shining Sea website (s2ssbikeride.org). Among the supporters joining the group will be Army Brig. Gen. Arnold N. Gordon-Bray, retired Marine Corps Gen. Robert Magnus and Ambassador Paul Bremer, who oversaw the reconstruction of Iraq from May 2003 to June 2004.
On July 2, the riders will travel from Ft. Madison (IA) to Canton (IL). They will have a water stop in La Harpe, pass through the Good Hope Junction, eat lunch in Bushnell at Veteran's Memorial Park and complete their day's journey with dinner in Canton.
Area volunteers are needed to hand out water in La Harpe and to serve lunch in Bushnell, as well as to line the route and cheer on the riders, said Community Coordinator and Macomb State Farm Agent Cathy Early, whose company is the major corporate sponsor for the Sea to Shining Sea ride across America.
"These riders are inspiring. We are honored to be able to welcome them to our communities, and we encourage everyone to come out and show their support," Early said. 'Tony Ensenberger, Alan Thompson and I are pleased to help the riders as they pass through our part of the state."
Western Illinois University's Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) is teaming with Early and State Farm to line up volunteers, including from the ranks of ROTC cadets, said Maj. Jack Thresher, WIU Army ROTC scholarship and enrollment officer.
"The selfless service of these warriors, including the injuries they sustained, is evidence of their courage, honor and commitment. Their indomitable will to succeed by completing the daunting Sea to Shining Sea ride is a testament to today's American military men and women," said retired Marine Corps Gen. Robert Magnus. "I commend World T.E.A.M. Sports and State Farm for their own commitment to making this great ride possible."
People or organizations interested in volunteering for the July 2 event should contact Early at cathy@cathyearly.com or Maj. Thresher at JD-Thresher@wiu.edu or phone (309) 298-1161.
For more information on Sea to Shining Sea, the bikers' biographies and the routes traveled, visit s2ssbikeride.org.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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