Air Force wounded warrior rides from coast to coast

by Maj. Belinda Petersen
Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs

7/12/2010 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- A combat controller, who last year was laying in a hospital fighting for his life, is now riding his bicycle across America as part of his rehabilitation and to inspire other wounded warriors.

Along with 19 of his teammates, Staff Sgt. Marc Esposito from the 21st Special Tactics Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, N.C, is participating in the Sea to Shining Sea ride. The bike trek across America started at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and will end in Virginia Beach, Va., July 24.

Staff Sgt. Marc Esposito and actor/comedian Robin Williams May 22, 2010, in San Francisco.  Sergeant Esposito is from the 21st Special Tactics Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, N.C. (Courtesy photo/Van Brinson)

"The goal of the ride is to honor the courage of (servicemembers), recognize the strength of the American spirit and challenge perceptions of how we view athletes," said Melissa McKinley, a public relations specialist for the event.

But before Sergeant Esposito could even get back on his bike, he spent almost a year in hospitals where he underwent several surgeries and extensive rehabilitation.

"In May 2009, I was operating in Afghanistan as a combat controller in support of an Army special operations team," Sergeant Esposito said. "We were going after the bad guys when we hit an (improvised explosive device). Everyone in the vehicle was