Soldier Ride Stirs Emotions, Impacts U-Haul Team Members

Dec 17, 2014

PHOENIX – Ten years have passed since U-Haul International, Inc. became a national tour partner for the Wounded Warrior Project’s® ever-expanding Soldier Ride® cycling events.

Seventeen U-Haul Team Members and nearly 60 Warriors participated in 2014 Soldier Ride Phoenix in late October – a special occasion for U-Haul since it takes place in the Company’s home city.

A successful, three-day desert ride was capped by a fundraising gala at which Warriors Speak spokesperson Deven Schei, Sgt. (Retired) provided the highlight of the evening with a poignant speech about his journey back from the brink of despair.

Rather than attempt to summarize just how influential Soldier Ride has been our Team Members, we thought it best that some of our U-Haul cyclists who have participated in multiple Soldier Rides tell you in their own words.

Frank Heim, Salvage Program Manager, U.S. Army (Retired)

“What I remember the most is the willingness of the Warriors to keep pushing their limits when it came to each day’s ride. One individual that I rode with, at times, moaned and groaned during each ride. But with the help of fellow Warriors and her determination, she was able to finish each day’s ride without quitting. I also saw in each Warrior the sheer willingness to keep on riding even though they were not used to the warmer-than-usual temperatures that we incurred during each ride.

“Being retired military and seeing what these individuals have gone through, I felt that I needed to support them by riding and talking with them during the rides and at some of the functions that I participated in. Granted, I did not talk to them all. But once they learned that I was in the service, they would open up to me about there experiences and I, in turn, would let them know about some of mine while I served.”

Scott Pobieglo, Engineer

“I have done the Soldier Ride Phoenix for the last three years. I ride with the Wounded Warriors every year because I have a profound respect for the struggles that they have to endure in their rehabilitation. I love to be able to have conversations and encourage them along the rides. As a matter of fact, I usually move from the front to the back and back to the front again when we do the rides. This gives me the opportunity to meet and talk with many different people. I’ll find a few that are struggling and try to help them up the hills. I’ll just talk with them to try and lift their spirits, get to know them.

“My wife (Lindsay) and I also try and attend all the dinners as well. This gives us a couple of hours to hear stories as we eat with the Warriors.”

“This year I met a nice young lady that was introduced to me at the first meet-and-greet. She was very timid and not very talkative. I sat with her for a little bit and kept egging the conversation on. She was nervous about the three rides and was not sure if she would be able to complete them. She had said she hadn’t been on a bike for a very long time. I assured her that it would be OK, that she would have no problems managing the rides, and I would make sure that I was checking on her and helping her whenever she would need it.”

“The first two rides were hard for her mentally and physically, but she completed them. I rode along side her multiple times and encouraged and even helped push her up a couple hills. It was on the final ride on Saturday that she surprised me. I had been helping her up some of the hills that morning and we were at a parking lot that the Soldier Ride was using for a rest area. She told me that before she was injured, she was a tri-athlete. After she had been hurt, she sunk into a depression. She gained a considerable amount of weight not being able to workout, which made her feel even worse. A friend, another Wounded Warrior, convinced her to sign up for the Soldier Ride. She was selected, but her friend was not. That was one reason why she was so nervous about the rides.”

“She told me that the last three days had made her see that she could do more and that when she got back to her home, she was going to get her bikes out of storage and start taking daily rides. Seeing the transformation in the Warriors makes me proud to be part of the Soldier Ride. I will continue to participate every year that I can.”

Lucien Sahali, Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator

“I first became involved six years ago. Every year I’ve seen Solider Ride and Wounded Warrior Project grow, which has been very cool. It’s gone from a very grass-roots thing to becoming very organized. A couple of years ago I remember seeing an advertisement during the Super Bowl. I remember thinking, ‘Wow! These guys are doing a lot of great work.’

10648478_10152472568511094_4211410037403310113_o“This year it was great to see their organization and how they’ve learned from previous years and applied that. It better serves the Wounded Warriors. I have lingering thoughts about them sometimes. I might be doing something … maybe it’s been a hard day or I’m working on a difficult project. And I think, ‘Well, I can definitely do this. I don’t have truly difficult things to deal with like some of the guys we ride with.’ Seeing the smiles on their faces – that’s one of many ways you know that our situation isn’t that bad when they come back from being injured.

“It’s about a 20-mile ride each of the (three) days. It’s pretty casually paced for the varying athletic degrees of people. For the people on the handcycles – that’s the challenging part. There have been at least 10 each time on the recumbent handcycles.”

Lindsay Pobieglo, Risk Management Loss Prevention Program Manager

“This was my fourth year participating in Soldier Ride. My specific memories about this year’s ride (were the) many additional lasting friendships made. The soldiers are quick to share their experiences and each time I am humbled and honored to listen. The ride, for me, is a journey with some of the most amazing and courageous people.”

Have you been a part of Soldier Ride? Tell us your story in the comments below!

More articles like this one…

What’s New

Community Spirit: U-Haul Volunteers Help at André House

Community Spirit: U-Haul Volunteers Help at André House

Over half a million people face food insecurity in Maricopa County. Local nonprofits work daily to address this ongoing concern, but could not service those in need with the commitment of community and business members who choose to step up and help. U-Haul...

U-Haul Volunteers Gain Satisfaction from Service at St. Mary’s

U-Haul Volunteers Gain Satisfaction from Service at St. Mary’s

U-Haul® volunteers recently helped St. Mary’s Food Bank put a fresh spin on its mission to provide food for people in need across Arizona. Thanks to St. Mary’s partnership with meal-kit company HelloFresh®, people facing food insecurity can now receive both an...

Texas Panhandle Wildfires: U-Haul Offering 30 Days Free Storage

Texas Panhandle Wildfires: U-Haul Offering 30 Days Free Storage

U-Haul® is offering 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box® container usage to residents impacted by the wildfires across the Texas panhandle. The Smokehouse Creek Fire started on Monday and has burned more than 1 million acres. It’s the largest in the state’s...

U-Haul and ACS Join Forces in Climb to Conquer Cancer

U-Haul and ACS Join Forces in Climb to Conquer Cancer

The Climb to Conquer Cancer of Phoenix is the American Cancer Society’s largest single-day climb event in the world. Every February in Arizona, thousands of cancer survivors, family members, caregivers and supporters participate in the Climb to Conquer Cancer. U-Haul...

U-Haul, Tribute Journey Spread Valentine’s Day Love to Veterans

U-Haul, Tribute Journey Spread Valentine’s Day Love to Veterans

February 14 is not just Valentine's Day. It is recognized as a National Salute to Veteran Patients day. During Valentine's Day week each year, U-Haul and the Tribute Journey say “thank you” to veterans of the U.S. Armed Services who are cared for in Department of...

U-Haul International Moves with U-Box Makes Moving Abroad Easy

U-Haul International Moves with U-Box Makes Moving Abroad Easy

Every new year invites new adventures. If your 2024 adventures include moving abroad, U-Haul International Moves® is equipped and licensed to support your exciting transition each step of the way. The U-Haul® brand is known globally for empowering do-it-yourself...

U-Haul Helps Kurt Warner Charity Change Lives of Arizona Family

U-Haul Helps Kurt Warner Charity Change Lives of Arizona Family

When Luz decided to apply for Habitat for Humanity of Central Arizona’s Homeownership Program, she had no idea just how much of an impact it would have on her son, Jason. The family met Habitat’s criteria and completed more than 400 hours of “sweat equity” by working...

U-Haul Recognizes Its 2023 Volunteers of the Year

U-Haul Recognizes Its 2023 Volunteers of the Year

TEMPE, Ariz. — Michelle Vukov-Mikel and Michele Ramirez have been honored as the U-Haul® Volunteers of the Year for 2023. At the end of each year, U-Haul recognizes the Team Member(s) who has volunteered the most hours, supported the greatest number of U-Haul charity...