Reservist Magazine is the award-winning official publication of the United States Coast Guard Reserve. Bi-monthly issues include news and feature articles about the men and women who comprise America's premier national maritime safety and security
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Team Coast Guard 1790: Inspired to Ride T eam Coast Guard 1790, made up of Coast Guard active, reserve, civilians, and dependents, along with nearly 500 others pedaled, hand cranked and pushed past the Pentagon April 27, to start the beginning of a 110-mile, two day bike ride to the historic battlefields of Gettysburg. The annual bike ride brings together able-bodied and disabled riders from around the county, Puerto Rico and Canada to promote the idea that you can change lives through sports. "It is inspirational," notes Lance Abernathy, a disabled USCG team Coast guard 1790 and friends assist Kerry Conway, USaf Veteran, on the hills towards gettysburg. veteran, "to ride with and see what a triple amputee for the disabled, so can riding with and supporting disabled can accomplish is inspiring, makes my challenges seem athletes. "We complain about our everyday lives and we look back insignificant." In spite of the controlled pace of the ride you could and see these cyclists, it's eye opening and rewarding to share the see how the event brought out the competitive spirit of participants. experience," says Chief Ron Elliot. Team Coast Guard 1790 partnered with Air Force Veteran, The Pentagon to Gettysburg bike ride is a community event too. Kerry Conway for the second year in a row. Kerry has multiple Along the ride to Gettysburg local communities cheered the riders, injuries from military service, however, she is quick to say there is provided encouragement, offered drinks, homemade baked goods, no "Dis" in my ability, it is just different. "The body and the handfruits, and other nourishment. Adults and children of all ages cranked bike may have been different but the drive to demonstrate pitched in to give each stop a real sense of celebration. ability was not. The ride was non-competitive but Kerry's desire to Team Coast Guard 1790 exceeded their fund raising goal for succeed allowed only the strongest of riders to keep pace. Face of America and helped raised over $370,000 to continue According to many sports and disability organizations," sports bringing disabled and able-bodied athletes together, changing the are important in the life of a person with a disability not only lives of participants and supporters alike. � because of the physical benefits but also because sports build self— Submitted by PACM Tom Cowan esteem, confidence and independence." If sports can change lives team Coast guard 1790 at the Loys Station Covered Bridge in frederick County, Md on the second day of the Pentagon to gettysburg bike ride, april 28, 2013. (back row L to R)Kirby Sniffen, Jason Carlson, Ron elliott, Pat dugan, terry Vanderwerf, Brian Staudt, david Husted, nick Krupa, (middle row L to R)-Rachel Beckman, Jen Sokolower, Caitlyn dugan, Manson Brown, Sue Maitre, Caleb James, Brian doyle, Brian Meadowcroft, Shane Hooker, Lance abernathy, Jonathan grimes, (front row kneeling L to R)—Paul Boinay, Sarah Sniffn, tom Cowan, Honored guest for face of america 2013 and garrison Commander at fort Belvoir CoL gregory gadson, Pat Burnett, Jason finison, Brian Burch. (not shown) William Middleworth and John Steele. Issue 2 • 2013 � RESERVIST 25