Bay Area Veterans Organize Cross-Country Bike Tour
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- A Bay area organization is hitting the road and taking five veterans on a cross-country bike tour.
The Long Road Home Project was created to help raise awareness about the difficulties military veterans face when returning home from war.
More than 50,000 veterans have been wounded in war since 2001. More than 475,000 from all wars have been treated for post traumatic stress disorder.
"These people come home having served our country and having considerable challenges often times transitioning back home," said Casey Miller, founder of Long Road Home. "Regardless of what you think of war, you can't deny the human aspect that they're suffering because of it."
Miller and five veterans start their journey on July 15th in Washington State and end 90-days and 4200 miles later in Washington D.C.
The group includes an openly gay veteran who served in Afghanistan, a combat photographer diagnosed with PTSD, a veteran who at one time was homeless and contemplated suicide and two paralyzed vets pedaling with their hands to inspire others just like them.
"I'm hoping by the end of the ride beyond just the accomplishments of having gone 4200 miles that personally they feel a sense of achievement and a sense of empowerment," Miller said.
The bicyclists will visit 15 states and have several homecoming celebrations planned along the route.
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