The Pittsburgh Warriors is a fully volunteer, nonprofit organization that helps disabled veterans heal together through the sport of ice hockey. Only two requirements exist to participate: having been honorably discharged from service, and having a service-related physical or mental disability. The organization gives an hour of time on ice to veterans to bond and exercise every week.
Going through its sixth year here in Pittsburgh, the organization has seen consistent growth, but more importantly growth of the veterans.
You do not have to be a part of the organization to help. Anyone can and should show support. Aside from sharing posts on social media, the Pittsburgh Warriors also do events open to the public.
The big one on the agenda is the annual Healing Ride and Memorial fundraising event, which is happening this year through June 15-22. The 334-mile bike ride through the Great Allegheny Passage trail dedicates each day’s ride to a fallen soldier, with portions being recorded and posted to help document the journey. Although this is the 4th time the annual event will happen, this year saw an newly added event.
On Saturday May 18, the Honor the Fallen 22-mile Healing Ride took place on the Montour Trail. It was a fundraising event dedicated to raising awareness of the the national statistic of 22 veteran suicides a day.
The ride was 11 miles both ways, with a lunch that was provided in coordination with Altered Genius Trailside Taproom and Bar 31, which is owned by former Penguins goalie Kenny Wregget. To participate, riders paid $45 per adult, and $30 per minor. Furthering their support, Altered Genius is also running a special beer release in support of Pittsburgh Warriors Hockey. Sales for the months of May and June will benefit Pittsburgh Warriors.
The day’s ride was dedicated to Corporal Lester Roque, a combat medic killed in action in 2007 in Afghanistan.
“If we ride this trail and post on social media every day that we’re dedicating our miles to someone who we know that was killed overseas, we might reach someone and help them. When you’re talking about a group of disabled veterans, more often than not there’s somebody that’s in that organization that has probably walked a very similar path and is there to assist in some way, shape, or form,” veteran and Pittsburgh Warriors member Mr. Adam Rosenwald said.
Mr. Rosenwald, a physical education teacher at Shaler Area, participated on this ride for the third time. He served in the Army from 2005-2008, being deployed twice in Afghanistan for a total of 19 months.
These fundraising events are important in keeping the Pittsburgh Warriors’ running, as it is not easy to get ice time every single week, along with all the equipment needed for that ice time. The funds go towards lodging, uniforms, and the registration of two teams to compete against Warrior teams from all over the nation. On top of that, it is not just hockey.
At the end of the day, they fight for a cause that is often overlooked. Veteran suicide rates rise and fall every year, but the goal is for a steady decline. Support networks like the Pittsburgh Warriors are few and far between, but vital.
“Anytime we do any event, and it doesn’t matter what we do, you get one or two new names that pop up in registration. Which means the word is getting out that we exist and that we’re there. That’s why we do things that aren’t all ice hockey. There’s somebody that’s in that organization that has probably walked a very similar path and is there to assist in some way, shape, or form. We never know who we’re gonna reach or how we’re going to affect someone else,” Mr. Rosenwald added.
If you would like to learn more about the Pittsburgh Warriors or would like to donate, please visit www.pghwarriorhockey.org.
