Lockwood , USA ; Ricky Arnopol , USA ; Austin Gomes , USA ; Wesley Phipson , South Africa ; Lionel Mawditt , Australia ; Evan Hartig , USA ; Stephen Wagstaff , USA ; and Ryan Boyle , USA . In addition , there are riders on a regional roster and also ambassador riders . In all , 16 cyclists are a part of the racing program .
Will Owens is blogging his 3,000 mile run from San Diego to Virginia Beach . The money he raises during this run will be used to support organizations such as Save A Warrior and Active Valor .
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Hill says Project Echelon has sponsored 36 veterans to date , and inspired and engaged hundreds more through their social media platforms , by getting them involved in physical activity . “ The activities that our veterans engage in can be any variety of things from yoga to pilates to Ironman . It doesn ’ t matter . We want them being physical so that they can be reflective , and do it with an open and healthy mind .”
Hill has many success stories from Project Echelon sponsorships including one veteran , Will Owens , who is set to run from San Diego , CA to Virginia Beach , VA this May in order to raise money and awareness for PTSD and PTSD-influenced suicides among veterans , and another veteran who finally learned to swim . “ He suffered a back injury when he was in the armed forces and was not able to engage in any other type of physical activity so we paid for swim lessons and a pool membership at his local YMCA so that he could get in a pool and actually be physically active .”
Project Echelon does not limit sponsorships to only veterans . Family members of veterans are also eligible for sponsorships . Hill says they currently sponsor a few veteran spouses . “ These men and women are coming back and they ’ re struggling with addiction , struggling with night terrors , struggling with so many other things and those concerns and needs become the concerns and the needs of the spouse too , and they need just as much support as the veteran does .”
Hill says he has gained a “ sense of appreciation for authentic relationships ” through his involvement with Project Echelon . He makes the point that most people thank veterans for their service , but they rarely know what they ’ re thanking that veteran for . “ They don ’ t know what they did , what they went through , what they saw .” He says veterans enjoy the opportunity to get to tell their stories and when we recognize them as the person they are , beyond the veteran . “ They want you to authentically get to know them . That ’ s more meaningful to them ,” he says . “ I ’ ve really come to appreciate just the fact that all people , no matter who they are and what they ’ ve done , need relationship and when that relationship is authentic you can make some really great strides at doing some awesome things .”