Injured Warrior Appreciation Run 655 Harley Motorcycles Take Over 1-5

Motorcycle ride revs up help for veterans in need
Orange County Register
Erika I Ritchie
Staff Writer
November 7, 2014

Injured Warrior Appreciation Run benefits support services for former military personnel.

Police officers stop southbound traffic on I-5 freeway as hundreds of motorcyclists take part in the Injured Warrior Appreciation Run.
MARK RIGHTMIRE, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

IRVINE – For retired Marines Sgt. David Martinez, the Harley-Davidson ride down I-5 to Camp Pendleton was much more than a chance to take his hog for a spin.

It meant creating hope and awareness for thousands of wounded veterans suffering the after effects of recent deployments. Martinez, of Irvine, knows those pains all too well – he faced them.

An infantry Marine, Martinez deployed to Iraq three times. He retired from the Marine Corps in 2012 and suffered difficulties that led to losing his wife and his home. But with help from the Wounded Warrior Battalion, he rebuilt his life.

On Friday, he was among 655 Harley riders and 225 passengers who rumbled along I-5 toward Camp Pendleton as part of the third annual Injured Warrior Appreciation Run.
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