Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
At Sunday's American Legion picnic in Worland's developing Veterans Park on Yellowstone Avenue, retired Army Colonel Jay Waters, shakes the hand of Jim Andersen, a member of Sons of American Legion, Squadron 44. Army and Navy veteran Joe Delagarza, at far right, is also a part of the veteran group biking the Great American Rail Trail with the organization Warrior Expeditions.
Many bikers can be seen braving the Wyoming highways this summer, appreciating the exercise, companionship and often promoting a good cause. For five of those individuals, Wyoming is far from the first stop.
Jay Waters is one of a group of veterans biking the Great American Rail Trail, 3,700 miles between the steps of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. and Olympic National Park in Washington state. He has recently made Worland his resting place, enjoying the hospitality offered by groups such as the American Legion and Rotary Club.
The veterans are a part of Warrior Expeditions, a nonprofit outdoor therapy program that "helps veterans transition from their wartime experiences through long distance outdoor expeditions."
The Warrior Expeditions website, warriorexpeditions.org, tells the story of Earl Shaffer, a World War II veteran who returned home and said he was going to "walk off the war." Four months later, he became the first person to hike the entire Appalachian Trail. In 2012, Iraq and Afghanistan veteran Sean Gobb followed in Shaffer's footsteps along the Appalachian Trail and founded Warrior Expeditions to help other veterans, too. Veterans can choose to hike, bike or paddle with the organization, and it has been found to help with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression.
Waters has participated in the program before, hiking the Arizona trail in 2019. After 30 years of active duty in the Army, Waters said he wanted "one more big adventure," and the American Rail Trail is certainly fitting the bill. Waters lives in Virginia, and the other bikers hailed from as far as South Carolina, Texas and Colorado. The five left D.C. together on May 26 and have since separated, going at their own pace. Waters is last in line, hoping to finish the trail by Labor Day.
Waters will be taking off shortly in the tracks of the other bikers. The best way you can help the veterans make it to Washington safely, Waters said, "is give us some extra room."
"We appreciate the support in Wyoming," Waters said. He went on to explain that since there are few bike trails to follow, the bikers have had to stick to the highway, and Wyoming drivers have been excellent about sharing the road.
As the veterans continue their journey, watch out for them along our roads and encourage them on their way.
