The Final State of the Union
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Summary:
President Obama honors Wounded Warriors taking part in the seventh annual Wounded Warrior Project’s Soldier Ride.
Ed. note: This is cross-posted on The White House Blog. See the original post here.
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:
Rory Brosius is the Deputy Director of Joining Forces.
