Maricopa veteran rides for recovery of others

Maricopa resident Jack McLain served his country in Vietnam. In October he will bicycle 500 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles as a participant in the Ride2Recovery to aid his fellow veterans.

“I was a medic in Vietnam, and I have never lost the strong commitment to help my wounded comrades. This is a deep feeling and hard to describe,” said McLain. “This fundraising and public awareness raising effort is providing me with an opportunity to help in an active way. I will be 61 years old at the time of this event and riding a bicycle the nearly 500-mile distance will be a serious challenge.”

McLain, Senior Vice Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12043 and American Legion Post 133 Vice Commander, calls the Ride2Recovery program “one of the most successful and innovative physical and mental health rehabilitation programs to support combat wounded from both the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.”

Ride2Recovery helps provide critically needed funding to support Spinning® and outdoor cycling programs at military and VA locations around the U.S. to help injured veterans overcome the physical and mental obstacles they face during their period of rehabilitation and later. The program provides bikes, technical equipment, clinics and outings for wounded warriors and veterans to improve their health and morale.

The pedaling motion required in cycling is easier for a combat wounded amputee with a prosthesis to perform than other sports that require lateral side-to-side movements. Cycling provides low impact exercise and cardiovascular benefits. It is also done outside, with companions, and provides an opportunity to be physically active on a more equal basis without having to make as many concessions to the fact that the participant is performing with a handicap.

There are three Ride2Recovery rides, one on each coast and one in Texas.

Although McLain jokes that he may be the oldest guy riding in October, he says, “I am taking this very seriously and have every intention to complete this ride. I am currently riding my bicycle over 180 miles per week as part of my training. I do not intend on failing in this effort.”

“Ride2Recovery participants will include other veterans like me,” said McLain, ” as well as current members of the military, combat wounded veterans (several of whom lost limbs in combat as recently as six months ago) who are, because of the R2R Program, riding their bicycles the entire distance to LA and several celebrities. The goal will be to bring this issue to a wider audience and, of course, to raise the money needed to continue and expand this wonderful program.”

McLain has made a personal commitment to raise $3,500. “I would like to make it clear that not one cent of the donations will be used by me to cover my expenses,” he said. “I am paying my own way to California, and I will personally cover any expenses I require for equipment and training.” Several civic and veterans’ organizations will provide food, security and support along the route.

All donations are tax deductible, and anyone wishing to help McLain in his fundraising endeavors may do so via a check made out to VFW Post 12043 and mailed to Quartermaster, VFW Post 12043, 43728 W. Rio Grande Dr, Maricopa, AZ, 85239, marked “Ride2Recovery” on the memo line. Donations may also be made made directly on-line, going to the “Sponsor a Rider” link located mid-way down the home page and entering his name (Jack McLain) in the appropriate field, rather than in the general donation field, which would not credit him with the donation.

McLain added, “I strongly urge you to visit the Ride 2 Recovery website, read the testimonials, view the videos and interviews, and then I believe you will understand the enthusiasm I have for this cause.”

Submitted photo