Denise Landers Lott

East Valley Marines, Detachment 1296, helped support a team in Phoenix’s March Ride 2 Recovery Honor Ride. The Honor Rides series raises awareness and is the funding arm for Ride 2 Recovery. It gives the public the opportunity to ride with healing heroes and enlisted military on a non-competitive, fun ride.

Our supported team was the Royal Flush, organized by our detachment member and Team Captain Dave Althoff. The team consisted of riders Navy veteran Bob Althoff (the Ace of Hearts), Marine Corps veteran Lloyd Brown (the King of Hearts and another of our detachment members), Army veteran Adrian Barrios (the Queen of Hearts), Air Force veteran Paul Lavin (the Jack of Hearts) and Royal Navy veteran Brian Wood (the 10 of Hearts).

The Royal Flush was one of 80 five-man teams. They participated in the 36-mile segment and came in second place for fundraising.

All funds raised through the Honor Ride Series support Project Hero programs throughout the U.S. Ride 2 Recovery’s Project HERO (Healing Exercise Rehabilitation Opportunity) provides training and supports cycling programs at military hospitals and VA locations to help healing heroes overcome obstacles they face. Project HERO has proven the effectiveness of group riding in the rehabilitation of injured servicemen and women.