Wounded, injured and ill Soldiers take to the road for recovery

By Maria YagerSeptember 27, 2017

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(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Soldiers from Fort Campbell's Warrior Transition Battalion will complete a 167-mile bike ride on and around Fort Campbell called The Bluegrass Rendezvous, Sept. 28 to Sept. 29.

"This will be the fourth iteration of the Bluegrass Rendezvous," said Lt. Col. Shawn Butler, commander, Fort Campbell Warrior Transition Battalion. This year the ride will take place on post and in the communities surrounding Fort Campbell.

The Bluegrass Rendezvous is one of many adaptive reconditioning outreach opportunities for wounded, injured and ill Soldiers to get involved in, outside of their routine adaptive reconditioning workouts while assigned to the WTB. Soldiers in a WTB are going through the recovery and transition process, working to return back to active duty or transition to civilian life.

"This event is focused on the physical and emotional healing of our Soldiers - instilling the confidence that they can succeed through adaptive physical fitness, regardless of their medical conditions," said Capt. Brian McSween, officer in charge of the WTB's adaptive reconditioning program. "Our WTB Soldiers have been training with their adaptive physical therapy leaders and cadre to ensure they are prepared physically and mentally to participate in this challenging and therapeutic ride."

Approximately 35 riders are expected to participate in the Bluegrass Rendezvous. McSween said cycling is a very adaptable sport and WTB riders who choose to participate will use a standard bicycle, hand cycle, recumbent, or tandem bicycle selected to accommodate each unique Soldier, emphasizing the Soldiers' abilities.

Riders will depart the WTB's adaptive reconditioning program facility on Kentucky Ave. across from the Estep Wellness Center at 7 a.m. Sept. 28 and ride 100 miles. The Bluegrass Rendezvous will resume at 7 a.m. Sept. 29, with the final 67 miles of the ride finishing at the WTB on Fort Campbell.

"Bicycle riding offers more benefits to our Soldiers besides just the physical fitness aspect. As they work through their healing process, Soldiers can experience positive social interaction with other riders as well as relieve stress and achieve goals," said Butler.

Soldiers are assigned to the WTB after sustaining a wound, injury or illness that requires nurse cased managed care. This event is a milestone for many WTB Soldiers and culminates a transition goal for some.