Scores of motorcyclists gathered in the mountains of North Carolina to raise awareness and support for Operation Heal Our Patriots, a project of Samaritan’s Purse.
Despite the rain, more than 150 riders on over 100 motorcycles rode up and down the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway on Saturday, May 18, to support Operation Heal Our Patriots. The group departed from Samaritan’s Purse International Headquarters in Boone, North Carolina, for the roundtrip run to and from Grandfather Mountain.
This was the 13th Annual Warrior Ride, an event that benefits Operation Heal Our Patriots, a Samaritan’s Purse project that strengthens the lives and marriages of wounded military veterans and their spouses through Biblically based training. Military couples are flown to Samaritan Lodge Alaska for a week of marriage enrichment training at the edge of wilderness. They are then followed up on for life through our family care program.
A rider gave a thumbs-up as the convoy left the International Headquarters for Samaritan’s Purse in Boone, North Carolina.
Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham shared with riders the joy he has found through Operation Heal Our Patriots and took the opportunity to reiterate the importance of proclaiming the Gospel to all.
“Couples arrive fighting, but then we see what God does,” Graham said. “Jesus Christ came to save us by taking our sins and shedding His blood on the cross and on the third day, He walked right out of the grave. He’s alive, and we see every week in Alaska evidence of changed lives.”
He expressed gratitude to the many people who were at the ride to support veterans and their marriages. Operation Heal Our Patriots started in 2012 and has since grown to include more than 1,700 couples.
President of Samaritan’s Purse Franklin Graham shared the intent behind Operation Heal Our Patriots: reach struggling military couples with the hope of Jesus Christ.
A Renewed Marriage in Alaska and Beyond
Warrior Ride participants heard from one alumnus, Joel Kaye, who went to Alaska seven years ago through Samaritan’s Purse with his spouse, Shannon. Joel shared with the audience how he went from a suicidal, alcoholic husband and father to a strong, Christ-like leader for his family.
The retired Army veteran served for 14 years, and carried the trauma of four combat deployments into his relationships with his wife and kids. “Every time I deployed, I would lose a part of myself,” Joel said. “You see things and do things that you just can’t comprehend.”
Joel Kaye spoke to the audience about the peace of God he experienced in his marriage through Operation Heal Our Patriots.
Joel turned to alcohol and drugs to ease his pain, until his wife, Shannon, reached her last straw and signed up for Operation Heal Our Patriots. While at Samaritan Lodge, Joel and Shannon renewed their wedding vows, and Joel rekindled his relationship with Christ.
“It felt like we met each other for the first time,” said Joel about the experience. “We felt like we could finally stand on a firm foundation. When we returned from Alaska, it took some time for me to surrender to Christ…I finally took off that sack of burdens and left it at the feet of Christ.”
Joel and Shannon are now key leaders with Operation Heal Our Patriots and serve other veteran couples through their local church in Athens, Georgia. “I give all the glory to God,” Joel concluded.
John Pryor, director of Operation Heal Our Patriots, spoke to the riders about how the Samaritan’s Purse project cares for veterans, their spouses, and their families for life, not just in Alaska. Alumni are offered numerous ongoing events and opportunities to grow, lead, serve, and connect through Operation Heal Our Patriots.
“One of the best things about Operation Heal Our Patriots is that it doesn’t end in Alaska. We continue to invest in alumni long after they’re back,” Pryor said. “We want these couples to know Christ, have a strong marriage, and we want them to be plugged into a local church.”
Director of Operation Heal Our Patriots, John Pryor, explained the heart of the ministry to the riders before they departed.
Riding in Support
Motorcyclists near and far attended Saturday’s Warrior Ride, all with the same passion for military couples and the Operation Heal Our Patriots mission.
Tony and Jamie Ray came up from Durham, North Carolina, to participate in the ride. For years, the couple has volunteered in various locations with U.S. Disaster Relief and they expressed their gratitude for Samaritan’s Purse. Tony served with the U.S. Army for 26 years, domestically and abroad.
“We are here to support the troops. A lot of soldiers come back broken in more ways than one, and it’s the church’s responsibility to serve and love these people,” Troy said. “Samaritan’s Purse has done a great job to step up and fill the gap.”
Edward Graham, COO for Samaritan’s Purse, and Luther Harrison, vice president of North American Ministries for Samaritan’s Purse, were also among the riders over the weekend.
The riders gathered atop Grandfather Mountain before returning to Boone.
Start to a New Season
Over Memorial Day weekend, this year’s first group of military couples will land at Samaritan Lodge Alaska for a time of Biblically based marriage enrichment training through Operation Heal Our Patriots. For 17 weeks total, up to 11 couples each week will have the opportunity to connect with each other and with God and to experience the healing power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Please pray for these many couples whose marriages and families are suffering from the wounds of war. Pray that God would transform many lives and bring many to salvation in Jesus Christ.
Riders enjoyed the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway as they rode in support of military couples.
