It seems quite impossible to imagine someone more worthy of admiration and respect U.S. Marine Corps veteran Rob Jones, who biked through Lambertville and New Hope last Thursday.
By John Tredrea, Special Writer
It seems quite impossible to imagine someone more worthy of admiration and respect U.S. Marine Corps veteran Rob Jones, who biked through Lambertville and New Hope last Thursday.
Mr. Jones is a decorated double amputee Marine who is biking across the United States to raise money for veterans’ causes. Pedaling his bicycle with two prosthetic legs, he tries to ride 30 miles a day and will cover 5,400 miles on his journey. He hopes to raise $1 million for such charities as the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, the Semper Fi Fund and Ride2Recovery.
Hearing of his journey is incredible enough. Speaking with him, and hearing the cool, calm, collected and self-effacing sound of his voice redoubles the power of what he is accomplishing.
”I started in Bar Harbor, Maine, on Oct. 14,” he said Friday, after passing through Lambertville and New Hope. “I’ll head to Conshohocken from here. I’ll continue south until I get to Virginia and then turn west toward San Francisco, finishing up in San Diego.”
He said he got a great reception in Lambertville and New Hope.
”I stopped at the police station in Lambertville,” he said. “They escorted me through town. A lot of people were out, waving to me and saying hello. The Lambertville police escorted me across the bridge into New Hope. I got a police escort and a very nice welcome by the people in town there as well.”
He lost both of his legs in Afghanistan in 2010 by stepping on an improvised explosive device. After losing his legs, the combat engineer could have quit, but instead he fought back.
Awarded a Purple Heart and honorably discharged in 2011, he decided that he was not done representing the United States. After intense training Rob learned to row, competed in several qualifying events and won a slot in the 2012 Paralympics in London. He brought home a bronze medal.
”Doing this trip has been really cool,” he said. “I’ve met a lot of great people. It’s been tough physically, but I feel I can manage 30 miles a day, weather permitting.”
State police in New York and Connecticut have provided escorts.
Asked how he came to decide to take this arduous trip, he said matter-of-factly: “It just occurred to me one day. I’m doing it for the adventure and to help out the charities that have helped me and to try to set an example for people to follow.”
Mr. Jones was recently honored by the People/MLB Tribute for Heroes campaign at the Baseball All-Star Game. He was one of 30 selected from more than 4,500 nominations to participate in the pre-game ceremonies. The honor was given to men and women who have served us all so courageously. He also was featured in Sports Illustrated on April 29.
”To me, this is a doable thing,” he said. “I’ll endure the weather. If people want to make a donation to help out, they can go to my website.” (That’s robjonesjourney.com[email protected].