Wounded Warriors Ride for Recovery

President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki welcome the Wounded Warrior Project's Soldier Ride to the South Lawn of the White House in celebration of the seventh annual Soldier Ride, April 17, 2014.

President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki welcome the Wounded Warrior Project's Soldier Ride to the South Lawn of the White House in celebration of the seventh annual Soldier Ride, April 17, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

  • A Wounded Warrior Walks Out Of The Diplomatic Reception Room

    A Wounded Warrior exits the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House to participate in the Soldier Ride, April 17, 2014. (WH Photo by Pete Souza)

    1 of 6
  • President Obama Uses Starts The Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride

    President Obama, with Vice President Biden, uses an air horn to start the seventh annual Soldier Ride, April 17, 2014. (WH Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

    2 of 6
  • President Obama Cheers On Participants

    President Obama, Vice President Biden, and Secretary Shinseki cheer on participants in the Soldier Ride, April 17, 2014. (WH Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

    3 of 6
  • Soldier Ride Participants Circle The South Lawn

    Participants in the seventh annual Soldier Ride make their way around the South Lawn of the White House, April 17, 2014. (WH Photo by Amanda Lucidon)

    4 of 6
  • President Obama Welcomes Wounded Warrior Project's Soldier Ride Participants

    President Obama, Vice President Biden, and Secretary Shinseki welcome the Soldier Ride to the White House, April 17, 2014. (WH Photo by Pete Souza)

    5 of 6
  • President Obama Visits With The Audience

    President Obama visits with the crowd following the Soldier Ride on the South Lawn of the White House, April 17, 2014. (WH Photo by Pete Souza)

    6 of 6

 

This morning, on the South Lawn of the White House, President Obama, Vice President Biden, and Secretary Shinseki welcomed riders participating in the Wounded Warrior Project’s Soldier Ride.

Today was the fifth time President Obama has welcomed Soldier Ride to the White House. The ride begins in Washington, D.C. and ends in Friendship, Maryland, spanning a total of 58 miles. 

One of the ride’s many objectives is to provide veterans an important step in their return to an active lifestyle. In his remarks, President Obama said:

Many of you are recovering from devastating injuries. Some of you have had to learn the basics all over again — how to stand again, how to walk again, how to run again. And now you’re here today because that’s what Soldier Ride is all about — seeing each other through the finish line.

President Obama also told the stories of four of the riders — Lt. Cdr. John Jae Terry, Master Sgt. Louis Alfonso Ramirez, Sgt. Maj. Sedrick Banks, and Maj. Jeanette Nieves-Ayala — who have overcome major obstacles and are on the road to recovery with Soldier Ride.

“It’s men and women like John and Louis and Sedrick and Jeanette and all of you who make the ride so special for all of us, because you inspire us,” said the President. “You inspire the country, some of whom will be out cheering along your ride. You inspire me with your courage, your resolve, your resilience, your tenacity, your optimism. It makes me proud to be your Commander-in-Chief.”

Watch the President's full remarks below:

Watch on YouTube

Rory Brosius is the Deputy Director of Joining Forces.
Related Topics: Veterans, Maryland
JUMP TO: