Our Opinion: We in the U.S. thank our veterans, from sea to shining sea

A handful of bicyclists, many of whom were wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan, are crossing the country to bring awareness to disabled veterans. They started at the Golden Gate Bridge on May 22 and by late July, hope to celebrate the end of their ride in the ocean at Virginia Beach.

We met many of the riders who are undertaking this grueling ride, a 63-day, 4,000-mile odyssey that included several stops in Nevada. It was very fitting for the riders to stop in Carson City on Friday, the start of Memorial Day weekend, a time set aside for us to remember those who gave of themselves fighting for this country.

There was Stuart Contant, a retired Army pilot who suffered head and spinal cord damage after a near fatal helicopter accident in Afghanistan in 2002. The ride has been grueling so far for the 46-year-old Contant, but he is determined to finish the coast-to-coast event.

On this special website for the event, Contant wrote, "I am so grateful to be alive and able to do what I can. Life is short, so don't hesitate."

And then there is 24-year-old Brian Petras, whose heelbone was shattered and femur broken when his truck ran over a mine in Iraq. Eventually, doctor's amputated Petras' leg. Undaunted, Petras became more active in his rock climbing.

And 25-year-old Josh Davis suffered serious brain injury while in Iraq. During recovery from his third mishap, this Marine developed a love for cycling. Now, he is dedicating his Sea to Shining Sea ride to his fellow Marines and to all veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

He wrote the following on his website: "I love to put energy into things that honor my heroes and help me move forward. The entire ride seems like a once in a lifetime opportunity."

We thank the men and women who have valiantly served our country during peacetime and war, and we applaud those young men and women who stopped in Carson City on Friday and who are bringing awareness to their comrades by cycling from the Pacific to Atlantic oceans.

• A version of this editorial also appeared in the Lahontan Valley News.