What we do for the Veterans:
What the Arkansas Freedom Fund does for our veterans. To start off in getting the veteran active, we can provide a entry level road bike or lifestyle bike to everyone. Our bike sponsor is Fuji Bikes USA from Advanced Sports in Philadelphia, Invacare Hand Cycles and Kona.
As the veteran progress to meet their physical goals we can assist on upgrading their bike and help them reach their potential. We do the same with the golf and outdoor programs.
What the Arkansas Freedom Fund does for our veterans. To start off in getting the veteran active, we can provide a entry level road bike or lifestyle bike to everyone. Our bike sponsor is Fuji Bikes USA from Advanced Sports in Philadelphia, Invacare Hand Cycles and Kona.
As the veteran progress to meet their physical goals we can assist on upgrading their bike and help them reach their potential. We do the same with the golf and outdoor programs.
Hopefully to build a understanding of just who is the Soldier, Airman, Sailor and Marines are that call Arkansas Home.
We hope to compile a view of the Warriors and their sacrifices so the readers have a better understanding of what makes up a Arkansan Warrior.
Specialist E4 - Brandon Grote
US Army National Guard Retired
Bryant, Arkansas.
I am a Iraqi veteran. I served 3 tours with the national guard, I received the Purple Heart December 21st 2006. I enjoyed the time I was able to serve! I am Currently awaiting to start school this summer and get a history degree and hopefully teach high school so I can continue to give back to my community and country!" Brandon Grote
Bryant, Arkansas.
I am a Iraqi veteran. I served 3 tours with the national guard, I received the Purple Heart December 21st 2006. I enjoyed the time I was able to serve! I am Currently awaiting to start school this summer and get a history degree and hopefully teach high school so I can continue to give back to my community and country!" Brandon Grote
Mark Blue SSgt
US Army 1st ID
Served 21 years U.S. Army. Served in Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq. Total of 5 tours of duty. Was medically retired on June 8 2009 as SSG.
Served 21 years U.S. Army. Served in Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq. Total of 5 tours of duty. Was medically retired on June 8 2009 as SSG.
Wayne Irelan
US Army
4-24-04 At about 4;40 We were hit by Mortar attack. After getting to the bunker. The first shirt sent me out to look for people that wasn't there. The second wave came in an I was blowed up. I got two holes in my head, lost my jaw, an my hearing. The arm got about 90 percent gone from the elbow up. Still is broke, never to heal, but by God. We would like to help out in any way we can. Yes, I an perkiest don't get along. Yes there is something that you may or know someone that can help all Vets. Do you know that the VA is stripping our 2 Amendment rights. I say this because they are me. Here is how it works. They call an ask you if your having trouble with your bills. Then they ask who you would like to have them do it for you an they pay them a little for doing it. They go back to little Rock put on the paper work that your Incompetent. An take away your rights to have a gun. Not only yours but any one that lives with you. There is bills that Congress Boozman is trying to get into law that only a judge can say that you are incompetent. The VA has done this to any where from 119,000 to 170,000 Vets an they don't know it. Help our Vets to get our rights back.
4-24-04 At about 4;40 We were hit by Mortar attack. After getting to the bunker. The first shirt sent me out to look for people that wasn't there. The second wave came in an I was blowed up. I got two holes in my head, lost my jaw, an my hearing. The arm got about 90 percent gone from the elbow up. Still is broke, never to heal, but by God. We would like to help out in any way we can. Yes, I an perkiest don't get along. Yes there is something that you may or know someone that can help all Vets. Do you know that the VA is stripping our 2 Amendment rights. I say this because they are me. Here is how it works. They call an ask you if your having trouble with your bills. Then they ask who you would like to have them do it for you an they pay them a little for doing it. They go back to little Rock put on the paper work that your Incompetent. An take away your rights to have a gun. Not only yours but any one that lives with you. There is bills that Congress Boozman is trying to get into law that only a judge can say that you are incompetent. The VA has done this to any where from 119,000 to 170,000 Vets an they don't know it. Help our Vets to get our rights back.
Alex Diaz MSgt
Coalition Air Force Transition Team Iraq USAF Retired
20 years active duty Air Force. Deployed 4 times to OIF/OEF. I was an Air Force loadmaster by trade on C-130 E/H Aircraft. I was injured during aerial flight on an OIF mission with the Iraqi Air Force.
20 years active duty Air Force. Deployed 4 times to OIF/OEF. I was an Air Force loadmaster by trade on C-130 E/H Aircraft. I was injured during aerial flight on an OIF mission with the Iraqi Air Force.
Cedric Pipen
Corporal USMC
Cedric was injured from a grenade blast while serving in Iraq
Cedric was injured from a grenade blast while serving in Iraq
Rufus Hicks
Sergeant First Class US Army. 891st Eng Pittsburg, KS
from Strong Arkansas
Rufus was injured on May 1 2005 while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom 20 miles south of Baghdad.
from Strong Arkansas
Rufus was injured on May 1 2005 while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom 20 miles south of Baghdad.
Lance Verser SSgt
US Army Bravo SECFOR 1/142nd FA Arkansas Army National Guard
Injured in Iraq
Injured in Iraq
Jason Speer Sgt
3rd Infantry Div, 3rd Brigade 1-30th Infantry from Bryant.
Injured in June of 2007
Injured in June of 2007
Tim McMinn
E5 US Army
Cabot Arkansas
Tim was wounded on July 2, 2008 while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom
Cabot Arkansas
Tim was wounded on July 2, 2008 while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom
Denny Hutchins
E4 India Co 3/23 4th MarDiv
I was a machine gunner in the Marine Corp, went to Iraq in 2003. Serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. I got hit by a truck driven by Iranians and sustained a broken back while working a checkpoint.
I was a machine gunner in the Marine Corp, went to Iraq in 2003. Serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. I got hit by a truck driven by Iranians and sustained a broken back while working a checkpoint.
Leonard Sprouse
From Paragould, Arkansas. I enlisted in the military in April 2003 because the attacks that had happen September 11th 2001. I was shipped to Iraq in July 2006 with the 875th C co. Eng. Battalion in Paragould, Arkansas to deploy an effective Combat Engineer in company to serve as a route Clearance team to help with Operation Iraq Freedom. I had been hit by 13 IED (Improvise Explosive Devices) during my tour in Iraq and our company alone found over 1500 explosive devices that the terrorist were trying to harm other forces with. In May 21, 2007 our team was deployed on a regular night mission on MSR Tampa, when my vehicle was struck with an IED, with chlorine and ammonium gases. I was air lifted due to wounds received in action and spent almost a year in the Walter Reed Hospital in Washington DC. The 14th explosion had done me in. I had injured my back, shoulder, pelvic, and brain. Through a lot of physical training with the doctors, and surgeries I was back to myself physical to a certain maintainable point. But the wounds my confidence and emotional state were still wounded. I spent the next year of my life subduing myself at home and milking these wounds. I went Gear Head outfitters one day on a day out with once wife. I bought a trek 4500 while I was there thinking and hoping that I could use this as a getaway in my brain. I started riding and it became a way of life and a stimulant for each day I woke up. It gave me something to look forward to each day. I started riding to escape the pressures of life, and what happen was remarkable. Through riding I built my confidence up in myself and being active seemed to help me in ways that’s hard to imagine. My love for riding I feel saved my life and well-being. I would like to see more injured veterans riding bikes and show them how effective it is on their own well-being. Each veteran has the opportunity and tools to a fully active life. Through Bike riding I found mine.
Cody Cherry
3-153 39th IBCT AR Army National Guard
Tommy King SFC
39th Battalion Support, Co. A AR Army National Guard from Monticello AR.
I belong to the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans (President). I am a Veteran after 26 years and 6 months of service to my country. I served during Desert Storm and Iraq War.
I belong to the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans (President). I am a Veteran after 26 years and 6 months of service to my country. I served during Desert Storm and Iraq War.
Mark Eversole
US Army medically retired in 2011
Josh Frey
Sgt US Army 21B Combat Engineer Retired
Been deployed twice to Iraq in 2005 and 2006. I was part of the first wave of IRR soldiers called up in 2004 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I was stationed at FOB O’Ryan outside Balad, Iraq January 15, 2005. My mission was route clearance on MSR Tampa. I was wounded on February 26, 2005 by a road side bomb.
Been deployed twice to Iraq in 2005 and 2006. I was part of the first wave of IRR soldiers called up in 2004 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I was stationed at FOB O’Ryan outside Balad, Iraq January 15, 2005. My mission was route clearance on MSR Tampa. I was wounded on February 26, 2005 by a road side bomb.
Roger Griggs
US Army 1 BSTB 10th MTN Fort Drum, NY from Paragould AR.
I was active duty and have been deployed 3 times to Iraq. I have been in 4 blasts and the last one was by 150 lbs of explosives covered by concrete in the middle of the road.
I was active duty and have been deployed 3 times to Iraq. I have been in 4 blasts and the last one was by 150 lbs of explosives covered by concrete in the middle of the road.
Ben Leisenring
US Army E-Co 27 MSB 1st Calvary from Salem AR.
Joined the Army in 2000 was injured in 2003 and medically retired in 2004.
Joined the Army in 2000 was injured in 2003 and medically retired in 2004.
Thomas McNabb
US Army
B Battery 1/142 field Artillery. Combat medic deployed to Iraq 2005-06. IED blast injury in Baghdad stationed at Abu Gharib.
Medically retired in 2008. Works the Wounded Warrior Fellowship program with Congressman Tim Griffin.
B Battery 1/142 field Artillery. Combat medic deployed to Iraq 2005-06. IED blast injury in Baghdad stationed at Abu Gharib.
Medically retired in 2008. Works the Wounded Warrior Fellowship program with Congressman Tim Griffin.
Chris Short Sgt
US Army 2-5 Infantry C-Co , 25 ID
Marc Ford Jr LCpl
US Marine Corps 3rd BN 7th Marines
Joined Marines after High School. Served with 3/7 in 29 Palms, CA. Deployed 2 times to Ramadi, Iraq as infantry machine gunner (0331).
Joined Marines after High School. Served with 3/7 in 29 Palms, CA. Deployed 2 times to Ramadi, Iraq as infantry machine gunner (0331).
Alan Chastain
Served 28 years in the US Marine Corps.
489th Eng.
Alan is our first Vietnam Veteran to ride with us.
489th Eng.
Alan is our first Vietnam Veteran to ride with us.
Chris Barker
TSgt USAF Security Forces K-9
Security Forces Explosive Military working dog handler 1998-2006. Injured by IED when it blew up Humvee I was in. I was deployed with 101st Army Airborne 1-187 in Iraq at FOB Summerall when it happened. Active duty still while going through surgeries. 26 of them so far.
Security Forces Explosive Military working dog handler 1998-2006. Injured by IED when it blew up Humvee I was in. I was deployed with 101st Army Airborne 1-187 in Iraq at FOB Summerall when it happened. Active duty still while going through surgeries. 26 of them so far.
Charlie Huffstutler, Sgt
US Army 1st SFG (Fort Lewis); 555 Combat Eng Group (Fort Lewis); 224th Maintenance Co (Mountain Home); 489 Eng BN (Harrison)
Entered Service 1998 Army Reserves 489th EN, Harrison, AR. Entered Active duty 1989 serving at Fort Lewis, WA with 555 EN Group and 1st Special Forces Group and multiple other units. Injured in IED blast in 2003. Joined Arkansas Army Guard in 2006 sustaining further injuries in spinal cord and left arm.
Entered Service 1998 Army Reserves 489th EN, Harrison, AR. Entered Active duty 1989 serving at Fort Lewis, WA with 555 EN Group and 1st Special Forces Group and multiple other units. Injured in IED blast in 2003. Joined Arkansas Army Guard in 2006 sustaining further injuries in spinal cord and left arm.