January 2011 Navy
PORT ORANGE, Fla. (NNS) — The SEALs Bike America team arrived in Port Orange, FL, 4 Nov., catching their first sight of the Atlantic Ocean on the second-to-last stop of a sixweek bicycle ride spanning the width of the continental United States.
The ride was an effort to raise money for the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Foundation (NSWF). Beginning the ride in late September 2010, the SEALs Bike America team, a five-man group comprised of former and retired Navy SEAL team members, reached their final destination of Ft. Pierce, FL, the home of the National Navy Underwater Demolition Team (UDT)- SEAL Museum and the site of the 35th annual National Navy UDTSEAL Museum muster.
The SEALs Bike America team has three individuals, including professional cyclist Marty Jemison, travelling with them across the United States.
Michael Badger, Vietnam-era former SEAL and SEALs Bike America team ride organizer, said seeing the Atlantic Ocean after initiating what would prove to be a grueling challenge almost two months earlier, provided a brief respite for the riders, each of whom went for a swim at a Port Orange beach before resuming their ride.
“As the SEALs Bike America organizer and rider, today was the best day of the trip,” said Badger. “After almost six weeks of 90-mile days, we reached Flagler Beach. It was a great morale booster for all the guys to see the ocean for the first time since leaving Coronado [in California] on 26 Sept.”
SEALs Bike America team members, still clad in the distinctive team jerseys and riding shorts, dove into the nearly 70-degree water to celebrate reaching the Atlantic coast.
“We’re nearing the end of this ride, this effort,” said Ron Watford, SEALs Bike America team member. “But we’re still looking to raise money for the NSWF. All the money we can raise through donations is going toward the NSWF, and any amount of money people can donate will undoubtedly be appreciated by members of the Naval Special Warfare community.”
Watford, who medically retired from the Navy after suffering a career-ending injury during Basic Underwater Demolition School (BUDS), the initial three-month course required of all potential U.S. Navy SEALs, said he is participating in SEALs Bike America to show his appreciation for what he says is a good cause.
“I never had the chance to become a SEAL,” said Watford. “I went through BUDS but was ultimately not able to finish. Riding in this gives me the opportunity to show my appreciation for what the guys, the support element, the families of Navy Special Warfare do on a daily basis. I would ride it all over again to know these Navy SEALs will be taken care of and their family members cared for in the event something happens.”
A recognized Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) charity (#11454), NSWF is an organization dedicated to providing educational and motivational support and promoting health and welfare programs for the NSW community, as well as preserving the tradition, history and heritage of one of the Navy’s most elite fighting forces.
NSWF, founded a decade ago as a nonprofit organization, also provides tragedy assistance for families in the event a member of the NSW community is wounded or killed in combat or training. The foundation’s administrative and fund-raising costs have averaged 5.5 percent, well below the national average.
“All members of the NSW community are asked to go above and beyond the call of duty,” Badger said. “The Foundation [NSWF] is in place to take care of these brave men and women and their families. What they do, and what all men and women who raise their hands in oath to the country do every day, commands the respect of us all; and if participating in this ride lets even one of these service members know they are appreciated and will be cared for, then I know I’ve accomplished something.”
SEALs Bike America participants are riding approximately eight-toten hours daily during the 42-day event. The riders spend nights in campgrounds and stop only occasionally during the ride.
Individuals interested in learning more about the NSWF or donating to the nonprofit organization can visit the organization’s Web site at www.nswfoundation.org.
U.S. federal employees can also make a contribution to the NSWF through an area CFC donation.
SEALs are the U.S. Navy’s principal special operations force and are a part of the Naval Special Warfare Command. United States Navy UDT personnel are the precursors of SEALs, established during World War II with a primary function of reconnoitering and destroying enemy defensive obstacles on beaches where U.S. and Allied forces were preparing to make amphibious landings.