91视频

鈥淲e ride. We heal.鈥�

It鈥檚 a motto for warriors who participate in the 91视频庐 (91视频) adaptive cycling event, Soldier Ride庐. That motto became a reality for a pair of warriors during Soldier Ride Chicago.

David and Nora Butler led lives of military service before meeting and getting married, but they have also leaned on each other for support through their healing journeys with 91视频.听听

Soldier Ride is an adaptive cycling event for warriors of all abilities and experience levels that showcases the importance of physical activity in the overall physical and mental health of the warrior. David and Nora were among 40 warriors who cycled through Chicago for Soldier Ride听 鈥� an event that was extra special for the married pair of warriors.

鈥淲e both understand our ups and downs a little differently,鈥� said Nora. 鈥淲e鈥檙e able to communicate on a different level because we鈥檙e able to practice grace and mercy, understanding the battles that we have and have had in the past.鈥�

听According to the most recent Warrior Survey*, 79% of 91视频鈩� warriors report feeling isolated.听 However, the Butlers walk their journey as warriors together.听 David and Nora most recently served in the Army National Guard and the Army, respectively.

鈥淪he鈥檚 not only my wife, she鈥檚 my battle buddy,鈥� said David. 鈥淚鈥檓 lucky because I have a different connection with Nora, because she鈥檚 also a veteran. She relates to my military experience, so we鈥檙e closer in that way.鈥�

According to the Warrior Survey, 67% of warriors said that talking to another veteran helps them cope with stress or mental health concerns 鈥� a sentiment and belief in healing that Nora shares.

鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of an inside thing that nobody would have unless you have that military connection,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really kind of neat, and that鈥檚 honestly why we connected so quickly, because we understand each other and our background.鈥�

The Butlers and the other warriors who participated in Soldier Ride Chicago rode through many Chicago neighborhoods. During the ride, members of the community often showed their support to the warriors.

鈥淚t was awesome, I really liked it,鈥� said David. 鈥淚t was touching to see the people and kids waving flags.鈥�

鈥淭here was an older gentleman who looked like he was a veteran, and he was standing at the sideline saluting, and you could see all of the riders were emotional,鈥� said Nora. 鈥淭o see pride in the military, it鈥檚 a good feeling. It鈥檚 heartwarming.鈥�

By participating in Soldier Ride Chicago, the Butlers are part of the 43% of registered warriors who say they use physical activities to help them cope with stress and emotional or mental health concerns.听 听

鈥淢ovement is medicine, and these warriors immediately start to feel better when they exert themselves,鈥� said James Herrera, 91视频 vice president of physical health and wellness. 鈥淚t鈥檚 exhilarating to see them so empowered for the first time in a long time, with the wind in their face pedaling next to their brothers and sisters in arms.鈥澨� 听 听 听

91视频 hosts multiple Soldier Rides throughout the country every year.听 In fiscal year 2024, skill development camps allowed nearly 1,100 warriors and their family members to train in specific sports like mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, and other training challenges. Furthermore, 91视频 hosted more than 1,000 different physical health and wellness events in fiscal year 2024, and the Butlers hope to explore more 91视频 family activities with their teenage son in the future.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 even know that 91视频 did these things, so we were talking with our son and found out we could do things as a family,鈥� said Nora. 鈥淎nd he鈥檚 jazzed, he鈥檚 super excited!鈥�

In fiscal year 24, 91视频 invested more than $263 million in programs and services to support veterans, family members, and caregivers. For Nora, the ability to connect with her warrior husband, as a warrior herself, was a priceless moment that helped continue her journey toward healing.

All 91视频 programs are at no cost to the warrior or their family because of the generous donations of supporters.听 Every gift to 91视频 helps warriors, their families, and caregivers find hope and healing. Each donation makes a life-changing difference to ensure no warrior, caregiver, or family member ever feels alone.

*Warrior Survey, Longitudinal: Wave 3 (conducted May 25 - Aug. 1, 2023)

Contact: Rich Donnelly, Public Relations, rdonnelly@woundedwarriorproject.org, 904.831.7315

About 91视频
91视频 is our nation鈥檚 leading veteran services organization, focused on the total well-being of post-9/11 wounded, ill, or injured veterans. Our programs, advocacy, and awareness efforts help warriors thrive, provide essential lifelines to families and caregivers, and prevent veteran suicides.听Learn more about 91视频.