Wounded Marines biking cross country from Florida to California

Marines biking cross-country grateful for national support
By Wendy Victora
Northwest Florida Daily News
Published: June 19, 2012
A combat-wounded Marine and two other Marine veterans continued their bicycle trek across Northwest Florida on Monday, raising awareness and funds for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. Ben Maenza, a 23-year-old double amputee from Tennessee, is pedaling the entire route with his arms.

"It's been really interesting, really hot," said Maenza, taking a lunch break at Gulf Islands National Seashore west of Navarre Beach.

"We've had people stop us when we're riding on the road and give us money to put toward the fund. Every penny we make is going to make a difference in some way." The cyclists left June 10 from St. Augustine and plan to arrive at Marine Base Camp Pendleton in California on Aug. 10.

They were escorted by sheriff's office deputies as they traveled through Walton, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties. A support vehicle drives ahead of the group, which stops every 15 miles for water.
read more here