Honor Ride Ohio sets goal to raise $100,000 for veterans groups

Todd Reigle, a self-professed American patriot, prepares to set out on the Honor Ride Ohio, which begins at Veteran's Memorial Park in Sylvania, and ends at Bi-Centennial Park in Cincinnati on July 4. THE BLADE/LORI KING Enlarge | Buy This Photo

Todd Reigle rolled his wheels out of Sylvania today with the goal of raising $100,000 for various veterans’ organizations.

The first Honor Ride Ohio — a five-day, 375-mile bike ride — began at Sylvania’s Veterans Memorial Park this morning.

The park has special significance to Mr. Reigle, a 1987 Northview High School graduate.

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When he was a youngster, he played baseball three times a week at the park’s Memorial Field, and it was here where he was his first introduced to veterans.

Before games, he said, he would walk around the park, which piqued his interest in veterans affairs.

Tucked away behind third base, a memorial garden pays its respects to fallen soldiers and other loved ones. Stately trees, honoring Sylvania residents who died serving their country, form a patriotic arch around Memorial Grove, located just off Garden Park Road.

Bronze plaques, pale green from the patina of passing years, carry the names of men — young men — who died on battlefields, fighting for freedom.

Proceeds raised from the ride will go toward Honor Flight Columbus, Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial, Wounded Warrior Project, Ohio Warrior Scholarship Fund, Hidden Scars Foundation, and the Ohio Combat Veterans.

Mr. Reigle said recently that the organizations provide services, scholarships, support groups and much more, to veterans. He created Honor Ride Ohio as a way to raise awareness for veterans. He described Honor Ride as a kind of community service that he needs to be involved in.

Others joining him are Matt Miller, a veteran of the Marine Corps; Adrianne Corna, of the Ohio Army National Guard; Daniel Hutchinson, a veteran of the United States Army; and Mike Karp, a veteran of the United States Army, are to ride with him.

The ride will end on July 4 at Bicentennial Park in Cincinnati.

During their stops along the way, they will put wreaths on grave sites and visit places where those with a military connection were buried.

Tax-deductible donations to Honor Ride Ohio can be made at www.toddsride.com.