Pedaling with Purpose: Soldier Ride Helps Veteran Couple Strengthen Bonds
“We ride. We heal.”
Nora and David Butler participating in Soldier Ride Chicago
It’s a motto for warriors who participate in the Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) adaptive cycling event, Soldier Ride®. That motto became a reality for a pair of warriors during Soldier Ride Chicago.
David and Nora Butler led lives of military service before meeting and getting married, but they have also leaned on each other for support through their healing journeys with WWP.
Soldier Ride is an adaptive cycling event for warriors of all abilities and experience levels that showcases the importance of physical activity in the overall physical and mental health of the warrior. David and Nora were among 40 warriors who cycled through Chicago for Soldier Ride – an event that was extra special for the married pair of warriors.
“We both understand our ups and downs a little differently,” said Nora. “We’re able to communicate on a different level because we’re able to practice grace and mercy, understanding the battles that we have and have had in the past.”
WWP CEO Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Walt Piatt (left) prepares to ride with the warriors at Soldier Ride Chicago.
According to the most recent Warrior Survey*, 79% of WWP™ warriors report feeling isolated. However, the Butlers walk their journey as warriors together. David and Nora most recently served in the Army National Guard and the Army, respectively.
“She’s not only my wife, she’s my battle buddy,” said David. “I’m lucky because I have a different connection with Nora, because she’s also a veteran. She relates to my military experience, so we’re closer in that way.”
According to the Warrior Survey, 67% of warriors said that talking to another veteran helps them cope with stress or mental health concerns — a sentiment and belief in healing that Nora shares.
The Butlers are married warriors who participated in Soldier Ride Chicago.
“It’s kind of an inside thing that nobody would have unless you have that military connection,” she said. “It’s really kind of neat, and that’s honestly why we connected so quickly, because we understand each other and our background.”
The Butlers and the other warriors who participated in Soldier Ride Chicago rode through many Chicago neighborhoods. During the ride, members of the community often showed their support to the warriors.
“It was awesome, I really liked it,” said David. “It was touching to see the people and kids waving flags.”
“There was an older gentleman who looked like he was a veteran, and he was standing at the sideline saluting, and you could see all of the riders were emotional,” said Nora. “To see pride in the military, it’s a good feeling. It’s heartwarming.”
By participating in Soldier Ride Chicago, the Butlers are part of the 43% of registered warriors who say they use physical activities to help them cope with stress and emotional or mental health concerns.
“Movement is medicine, and these warriors immediately start to feel better when they exert themselves,” said James Herrera, WWP vice president of physical health and wellness. “It’s exhilarating to see them so empowered for the first time in a long time, with the wind in their face pedaling next to their brothers and sisters in arms.”
The warriors were joined by first responders from Rosemont Public Safety after completing Soldier Ride Chicago.
WWP hosts multiple Soldier Rides throughout the country every year. In fiscal year 2024, skill development camps allowed nearly 1,100 warriors and their family members to train in specific sports like mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, and other training challenges. Furthermore, WWP hosted more than 1,000 different physical health and wellness events in fiscal year 2024, and the Butlers hope to explore more WWP family activities with their teenage son in the future.
“I didn’t even know that Wounded Warrior Project did these things, so we were talking with our son and found out we could do things as a family,” said Nora. “And he’s jazzed, he’s super excited!”
In fiscal year 24, Wounded Warrior Project invested more than $263 million in programs and services to support veterans, family members, and caregivers. For Nora, the ability to connect with her warrior husband, as a warrior herself, was a priceless moment that helped continue her journey toward healing.
All WWP programs are at no cost to the warrior or their family because of the generous donations of supporters. Every gift to WWP helps warriors, their families, and caregivers find hope and healing. Each donation makes a life-changing difference to ensure no warrior, caregiver, or family member ever feels alone.
*Warrior Survey, Wave 3 (conducted June 15 - Aug. 24, 2023)
Contact: Rich Donnelly, Public Relations, rdonnelly@woundedwarriorproject.org, 904.831.7315
About Wounded Warrior Project
Wounded Warrior Project is our nation’s leading veteran services organization, focused on the total well-being of post-9/11 wounded, ill, or injured veterans. Our programs, advocacy, and awareness efforts help warriors thrive, provide essential lifelines to families and caregivers, and prevent veteran suicides. Learn more about Wounded Warrior Project.
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