Disabled Pueblo veterans go for a joy ride
Military veterans residing at the Veteran’s Affairs Nursing Home in Pueblo traded in their in wheel chairs and beds Sunday for motorcycles. The veterans, many of whom are disabled, sat in cars attached to motorcycles as they were taken around the city of heroes on a bit of a joy ride.
This is the third year in a row that the VA in eastern Colorado has organized this event for the vets living in Pueblo.
“They talk about this all year. They can’t remember my name and they see me on a regular basis, but they remember this event,” said Piper Knight, the VA’s Chief Nurse in Eastern Colorado. “They are like we are going on a ride!”
With help of many other motorbike riders, Knight brought this idea from Denver to Pueblo three years ago. Veterans are able to get out of the nursing home for a ride around town, even if its just for a couple of hours. All while visiting some of the local military memorials in town.
“We go through the park which is a beautiful scenic ride,” said Knight. “Then they get to go a little bit faster on the highway, which they enjoy.”
“I like the vroom vroom of the bikes,” said Vietnam Army veteran Robert Hinnen. This is Hinnen’s second ride in the bikes, and after last years ride he had this year’s ride marked on his calender.
“It’s always fun just to have a day away from the nursing home,” said Hinnen. “This is a very patriotic town, Pueblo.”
However, the veterans in the side cars aren’t the only ones enjoying Sunday’s ride. The riders themselves, many of whom are veterans, get a lot out of the experience. They come from all over the state to Pueblo, and they can’t stay away. They say this event is all about giving back to those who came before. “It’s what we do,” said Air Force veteran Tony Phelps. “We take care of each other while we serve and we don’t want to lose that brotherhood and that relationship after the service. It’s part of what we are taught not just for veterans, but for community as well.” The VA would also like to thank the Pueblo Police Department who served as escorts for the line of bikes all morning. Making sure everyone made it back to nursing home okay.
