Like most of us who have served in the military, I have memories that are never far away.
In 2007, I led a group of 800 paratroopers on a perilous tour in Afghanistan.
Kolendas bike route:
- :Private First Class Christopher Pfeifer, 21
2.
Carroll, Iowa:Sergeant Adrian Hike, 26
3.
Elwood, Ill.:Specialist Jacob Lowell, 22
- :Staff Sergeant William Ryan Fritsche, 23
5.
Minersville, Pa.:Captain David Boris, 30
6.
But driving the 1,689 miles didnt feel right, and walking would have taken too long.
I decided on cycling.
But I wasnt riding only for those six men.
Some survivors could be entering the most dangerous days of their lives.
Post-traumatic stress, midlife crisis and feelings of emptiness are a potentially deadly combination.
Thats the reason I established a foundation to raise money to help our units veterans and their families.
Ill never forget riding up a mountain in Minersville, Pennsylvania, to visit Dave Boris grave.
Dave was an Army captain and like a brother to me.
While pedaling the steep incline, I imagined Dave riding next to me.
His father embraced me with a big hug.
He lives in Milwaukee.
