Riding For Warriors Raises Over $100,000
Riding For Warriors 7th annual tour riders. From left: Michael Nehlsen, Jim Kessler, James McQueen, Jim McQueen, Sr., Tom Stein, and Joey Mac Dizon.

The seventh annual Riding For Warriors event recently completed its six-day motorcycle ride to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11, raising over $100,000 for Hope For The Warriors and its Warrior’s Wish program. Air Force veteran Michael Nehlsen led six of his fellow riders from his home state of New Jersey on a 900-mile journey ending in New York, visiting 9/11 memorials and related locations to remember and honor the victims of the attacks.

Hope For The Warriors is a 15-year-old nonprofit serving the warrior community — active-duty, veterans, military families, caregivers, and families of the fallen. Through one of its first established programs, Warrior’s Wish, Hope For The Warriors fulfills a desire for a better quality of life and works to provide rewarding experiences for those who have sacrificed their physical and psychological health in the line of duty.

“Being the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 and being able to support our veteran community with Hope For The Warriors through the Warriors Wish program has been an honor and a privilege over the past seven years,” said Nehlsen. “The team of riders and support staff that accompanied me this year made the importance and impact of the journey from the NYC Ground Zero Memorial to the Flight 93 Memorial and finally to the Pentagon memorial a lifetime memory of brotherhood and sisterhood. We also met a lot of wonderful people along the way that have made a lifetime impact on me and I am sure all the others on the ride. 2021 solidified the very reason I started this journey seven years ago and will continue in the future. God Bless America and all our brothers and sisters who have served our great nation’s military past and present.” 

Riding For Warriors Raises Over $100,000
Front row behind flag: Jim Kessler, Matt Smith, Michael Nehlsen, James McQueen. Second row: Jim McQueen, Sr., Debbie Kessler, Rebecca Nehlsen, Frank Prigmore. Back row: Tom Stein, Anna Hillmann, Joey Mac Dizon.

This was the seventh year Nehlsen has led the tour and given his time to the charity, traveling over 30,000 miles on his motorcycle and raising over $253,000 for Warrior’s Wish, providing wounded veterans with woodworking and farm equipment, family trips, a horse trailer, a bass boat, bicycles and more.

“Every day we are reminded why Hope For The Warriors was born from the tragedies that took place on 9/11.” said Robin Kelleher, co-founder and president of Hope For The Warriors “The need to care for military families has not waned in the 20 years since the 9/11 attacks and it is with deep appreciation of Michael, Hillmann Consulting and the many supporters for sharing HOPE’s mission along the ride and raising critical funds to support our clients that need assistance”

About Hope For The Warriors: Founded in 2006, Hope For The Warriors is a national nonprofit dedicated to restoring a sense of self, family, and hope for post-9/11 veterans, service members, and military families. Since its inception, Hope For The Warriors has served over 36,000 through a variety of support programs focused on clinical health and wellness, sports and recreation, and transition. One of the nonprofit’s first programs, Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarships, has awarded over 170 scholarships to caregivers and families of the fallen.

For more information and to make a donation to Hope For The Warriors or its Warriors Wish program, visit: hopeforthewarriors.org

Riding For Warriors Raises Over $100,000
The 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City.

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