Texas Officials to Salute Wounded Warriors at Texas Soldier Ride

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Texas Governor Rick Perry and Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert will welcome riders to Texas for Wounded Warrior Project's Soldier Ride. Over 30 servicemen and women injured in Iraq and Afghanistan will be biking across the state from March 24 to 27.  

Soldier Ride is a program of Wounded Warrior Project that provides key rehabilitation opportunities for wounded warriors and raises public awareness for those that have been severely injured during the current conflicts. All participants with a disability or missing a limb or limbs are provided the adaptive equipment customized to their individual needs.

"Our mission of honoring and empowering wounded warriors is profoundly assisted when the community gets involved," said Steve Nardizzi, Wounded Warrior Project Executive Director.  "We are honored and grateful that Governor Perry and Mayor Leppert have chosen to honor our warriors and help raise the public's awareness of their needs and accomplishments."

Governor Perry will speak at the Austin kick-off event which will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 25 at the South Steps of the Texas State Capitol.  The celebration will also include comments from a wounded warrior and a performance of patriotic songs by the University of Texas Brass Ensemble.  

"No one knows the challenges facing veterans better than someone who has shared the experience," said Texas Governor Rick Perry. "So I commend the members of Wounded Warrior Project for not just telling our wounded veterans they matter, but showing them with deliberate action. I consider it a privilege to join with communities across Texas in saluting these inspirational riders."

The public will have an opportunity to join the riders in Dallas on Saturday, March 27 for the first registered ride, beginning at 10:00 a.m. from the Dallas VA Medical Center. Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert will address all the riders at 9:45 a.m.  

For more information, visit http://sr.woundedwarriorproject.org/.

About Wounded Warrior Project

The mission of the Wounded Warrior Project is to honor and empower wounded warriors.  Its purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public's aid for the needs of severely injured service members, to help severely injured men and women aid and assist each other, and to

provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, apolitical organization headquartered in Jacksonville, FL. To get involved and learn more, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project