Here's Your Chance to Really Support Our Troops

If you'll be around Ridge Avenue or Kelly Drive today, look sharp. Danny Lasko, a former Marine corporal who hails from near Easton, will be cycling in the area as part of the Soldier Ride National Tour. Lasko lost part of his left leg during a grenade attack in Afghanistan in April 2004. The Tour began in Los Angeles on May 21 and will end July 19 in Montauk.

The purpose of the Soldier Ride National Tour is to bring attention to the fact that the Iraq war is, indeed, not over (what? Mission not accomplished?) and that wounded soldiers should not be forgotten or overlooked. In addition, the Tour raises money for the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization that provides comfort items to wounded soldiers as well as benefits counseling and advocacy for the wounded. The Wounded Warrior Project has partnered with Disabled Sports USA to provide a way for wounded soldiers to participate in sports.

Regardless of how one feels about the Iraq war, the war in Afghanistan, or war in general, we can all agree that the soldiers who make up our our military - particularly those who are returning home injured - deserve our respect and support. Considering that the Bush administration short-changed the Veterans Administration health care by more than $2 billion this year (among other things), war veterans need the public's support more than ever.

Photo credit: CNN.