FORT SILL, Okla. (Nov. 6, 2014) -- The Fort Sill Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) began Warrior Care Month with a community bicycle ride on a brisk Nov. 1 morning at the Soldier and Family Assistance Center here.
About 15 riders including service members, family members, retirees and supporters of the military participated in one of three rides -- the longest taking cyclists 20 miles to Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area.
"It was fantastic just being out there. It was beautiful and a lot of fun," said Rose McCollum, a family member. "Typically, I'm a runner, but one of my friends told be biking is great cross training, so this was my first time riding an event."
Capt. Justin Crowe, Fort Sill WTU commander, was also one of the riders.
"We're kicking off Warrior Care Month with activities and events that highlight what the WTU is doing to help Soldiers recover, as well as their families," Crowe said.
This year's theme is "Show of Strength," he said. The WTU activities, which include motivational speakers and adaptive sports clinics, will have subthemes including recovery, reconditioning, reintegration and remaining strong.
Andrea Flanders, WTU Adaptive Sports site coordinator, said cycling is a popular fitness activity for the Soldiers and they do it twice a week as part of their PT activities.
"We have recumbent bikes and we have hand cycles, for Soldiers who have decreased abilities in their lower extremities, or amputations," she said. "A lot of the Soldiers prefer the recumbent bikes over upright bikes."
Other adaptive sports include wheelchair basketball, seated volleyball, golf and goalball for the visually impaired.
Activities are not to limited physical fitness, but also include Bible study, art and music therapy for those interested, Flanders said.
"We just started guitar lessons with the 77th Army Band," she said. "We do that once a week and they are working with us on chords, notes and proper strumming."
There are currently 70 Soldiers in the WTU, which has a capacity of 110, Crowe said. He noted their recovery process is comprehensive.
"What we do with these Soldiers is build them up physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually," he said. "Soldiers set goals and that's what they work toward when they're here."
In 2008, the secretary of defense designated November as Warrior Care Month to inform members of the military, their families and communities about the programs and initiatives being provided by the Warrior Care system.
The Army's Warrior Care and Transition Program (WCTP) supports wounded, ill and injured Soldiers and their families throughout each phase of the recovery and transition process.
At 25 WTUs, Soldiers heal, hone vital skills and set and achieve goals across the career, emotional, spiritual, physical, social and family spectrums. Demonstrating the resilient spirit of the Army, Soldiers emerge prepared to return to duty or enter the civilian workforce as veterans.
Since 2007, the WCTP has supported more than 62,000 Soldiers, with over 28,000 of them returning to the force.
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