The Florida Keys

Each January for the past dozen years, the Florida Keys have hosted a group of severely injured soldiers who use special bicycles to ride segments of the Overseas Highway from Miami to Key West. It also provides rehabilitative opportunities and funds basic comfort items for wounded soldiers when they return to the U.S. Along the highway, Keys adults and even school kids turn out to wave American flags and thank the soldiers for their sacrifices. Especially for people with brand-new injuries who aren’t very comfortable in the water or are hurtin’.” I’ve had the honor of photographing lots of smiling faces of wounded warriors at Dolphin Research Center and while they ride on the Seven Mile Bridge — After I read the email, I cried … because Chris’s note reaffirmed how important it is to share the wounded warriors’ experiences in the Florida Keys.