MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- Combat Center Marines participated in the Patriot Ride for Our Heroes in La Quinta, Calif. Oct. 26. The Patriot Ride was held in honor of all heroes including service members, firefighters, and police officers.
The event was open to all ages and ability groups. The ride began and ended at the La Quinta Community Park.
The riders were separated into three route distances; 25 miles, 50 miles and 100 miles. With the park draped in red, white and blue, the local high school band performed the National Anthem and the hymns of each military branch. After the performance, all of the bicyclists and hand cyclists prepared for the ride. There were snacks and drinks for the riders throughout the route. Vendors lined the sidewalks of the community park. The vendor’s expo included sport clothing, food drinks and veteran’s booths.
More than 1,000 riders swarmed to the starting point of the race. Local police officers, firefighters, and service members all participated in the race to represent their part of the community. Marines from various units throughout the Combat Center participated in the ride. Among the Combat Center Marines were the wounded warriors.
“We are living up to our motto by staying in the fight,” said Staff Sgt. Sean O’Leary, Wounded Warrior Detachment Twentynine Palms. “We are so thankful for all of the support towards the rest of the people being represented in this event.”
The staff from the Wounded Warrior Detachment joined the wounded warriors on the ride.
“Events like these are amazing,” said Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Saunders, Wounded Warrior Detachment Twentynine Palms. “It is great to see the local communities come together to honor these heroes”
The public servants of local communities were honored with the display of American flags throughout the city of La Quinta and members of the community lined the streets to cheer as the participants rode past. There were also banners and signs posted for the various organizations that participated.
The Patriot Day ride is an event celebrated throughout the United States and has reached the city of La Quinta. With the large outcome, The Patriot Ride is scheduled to be an annual event.
“We are glad we were invited to participate,” Saunders said. “We use this as physical training but we also like to get out here and represent where we come from. We want to continue riding in this event and watch it grow even larger in the years to come.”