Redefining Resilience: How Wounded Warrior Project Helped Jackie Gordon Move Forward
Jackie Gordon braced herself as she approached the familiar stretch of road in the Florida Keys, just past Coral Shores High School where students lined the streets in support. This was the exact spot where she fell the year before, leaving her injured and unable to complete her first Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) Soldier Ride®.
Now, with two days of cycling behind her and the iconic Seven Mile Bridge ahead, she had a decision to make: keep going or let the past define her.
Jackie kept pedaling.
Jackie Gordon lines up with her fellow warriors along Ocean Drive in Miami Beach, ready to take on the nine-mile trek through Miami on the first day of Soldier Ride.
For Jackie, a U.S. Army veteran and retired lieutenant colonel, Soldier Ride isn’t just about cycling – it’s about reclaiming confidence and moving forward. For many warriors, it’s also about the unwavering support of the community – fellow warriors, WWP staff, and local supporters – who cheer them on and honor their sacrifice to the country.
“When I got to the point [in the Keys ride] where I fell, it was an emotional release that I can’t even explain,” Jackie said. “I didn’t realize that fall had still impacted me that way. But if I didn’t have the opportunity to ride again, I would have continued to carry that.”
Soldier Ride, a multi-day cycling event hosted by WWP™, helps injured veterans build confidence and connection through movement. Whether on a recumbent bike, handcycle, or traditional bicycle, warriors find strength and camaraderie in pushing through their personal barriers. When they finish the experience, it can be life-changing; most participants report a greater sense of connection, confidence, and self-esteem.
“Soldier Ride is a reminder that recovery doesn’t happen in isolation — it happens in motion, with a team beside you,” said WWP Physical Health and Wellness Vice President James Herrera said. “The physical and mental health benefits of movement are undeniable, and when warriors ride together, they push past limits they once thought impossible. Warriors like Jackie Gordon embody this spirit, showing us that perseverance and support can fuel transformation.”
WWP is uniquely positioned to provide these life-changing experiences because of the generosity of donors who make it possible for warriors to benefit from Soldier Ride and other free, transformative programs. Every mile warriors pedal is backed by a community that believes in their strength and recovery.
The Importance of Camaraderie
Jackie’s story is one of resilience. Over her 29-year career in the armed forces, she served in Germany during Operation Desert Storm, served in Guantanamo Bay and Baghdad, and commanded the 310th Military Police Battalion in Afghanistan before retiring in 2014.
Like her fellow veterans, Jackie’s transition to civilian life had challenges. But she found purpose in education, public service, and giving back to the veteran community.
Her introduction to Soldier Ride didn’t happen as a participant. For 13 years, she’s helped facilitate Soldier Ride in Babylon, New York. After years of supporting the event from the sidelines, she decided it was time to experience it firsthand.
That first ride in 2024 didn’t go as planned. She wiped out on the second day, suffering an arm injury that forced her to miss the most scenic portion of the route. When she returned in 2025, it was about more than just completing the ride – it was about proving to herself that she could.
Jackie Gordon shares a moment of joy with a dolphin at Dolphin Research Center in Marathon, FL as part of Soldier Ride Miami to Key West.
Beyond the dozens of miles of cycling, Jackie challenged herself in other ways during the event. She stepped outside her comfort zone by getting in the water with dolphins for a staple experience of Soldier Ride Miami to Key West — the Dolphin Research Center engagement in Grassy Key.
“I am not a warm, fuzzy animal person,” Jackie admitted. “I never had any interest in swimming with dolphins. But as I get older, I’m trying to stretch myself more, to grow purposefully. So, I did it. And it was incredible.”
She credits Soldier Ride not just for the physical activity, but for the camaraderie it fosters. For Jackie, being around other warriors is different — it’s natural, unspoken, and comfortable in a way that’s hard to replicate in civilian life.
“When you’re with veterans, especially [in my case] female veterans, you’ve been to where they’ve been,” Jackie said. “You’ve had experiences they’ve had. You can talk in plain language because we understand the nuances, the acronyms. You can just be comfortable.”
That sense of community has kept Jackie engaged with Soldier Ride. She continues to participate, planning her schedule around the Babylon ride each summer.
For any interested veterans hesitant to join a Soldier Ride, Jackie has a message: It will give you a sense of profound accomplishment and you will connect with fellow veterans in a way you can’t find anywhere else.
“I think people see all the miles and say, ‘Oh my God, I could never,’” Jackie said. “But when you finish, you feel accomplished.”
With the support of WWP, warriors like Jackie can continue pushing past their limits and reclaiming their strength. Join us in empowering more warriors on their path to recovery by making a donation today.
Contact: Julian Routh, Public Relations, jrouth@woundedwarriorproject.org, 904.544.0195
About Wounded Warrior Project
Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more about Wounded Warrior Project.
Since 2004, Soldier Ride® has evolved from a lone rider on a mission to a program that serves approximately 2,000 veterans and their families annually. The nationally recognized adaptive cycling event has become one of the most successful programs at Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP). Soldier Ride not only fosters warrior connection and community engagement but it also invites the American public to pay tribute to their service and sacrifice.
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