Air Force and Army Veterans Raises Money to Support A Warrior’s Wish Program for Wounded Veterans

Press Release 7/12/18

(L to R): Michael Nehlsen and Jeff Molesko at No Man Left Behind statue at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
*Photo Submitted

UNION – The fourth annual Riding For Warriors recently wrapped its 17-day motorcycle journey raising more than $30,000 for Hope For The Warriors and its A Warrior’s Wish program.

Celebrating 11 years of service, Hope For The Warriors is a national nonprofit dedicated to restoring a sense of self, family, and hope for veterans, service members and military families.

Through its first established program, A Warrior’s Wish, Hope For The Warriors fulfills a desire for a better quality-of-life or supports a quest for gratifying endeavors for those who have sustained physical and psychological wounds in the line of duty.

For the fourth year, the ride was led by Air Force veteran Michael Nehlsen and sponsored by Union, New Jersey-based Hillmann Consulting. Joining Nehlsen again this year on the more than 4,500 mile trip was New Jersey-native and Army veteran, Jeff Molesko.

On Memorial day, the duo made a special stop in Fort Smith, Arkansas at the Fort Smith Cemetery to read the names of those killed in action submitted by ride supporters, Hope For The Warriors staff and prior A Warrior’s Wish recipients. For a video, visit: https://bit.ly/2JYZ0vZ.

While in North Carolina, the veterans visited Hope For The Warriors staff at Camp Lejeune and toured the Wounded Warrior Battalion East. In addition, they visited the No Man Left Behind statue to honor those who have served and those that continue to do so by reading names submitted by ride supporters, Hope For The Warriors staff and prior A Warrior’s Wish recipients.

“Over the past four years, Riding For Warriors has been incredibly important to me both personally and professionally,” said Nehlsen. “It has given me, and Hillmann Consulting, the opportunity to be part of the Hope For The Warriors family while making a meaningful contribution to the A Warrior’s Wish program. 

“This annual ride has become our way of us saying ‘thank you’ to veterans and honoring the price they have paid for our freedom. I often think of the No Man Left Behind statute and I can only hope that the veterans we have helped through Riding For Warriors know that their service to our country has not gone unnoticed and is greatly appreciated,” added Nehlsen.

In four years, Nehlsen’s annual ride has raised more than $120,000 for A Warrior’s Wish providing wounded veterans with woodworking and farm equipment, family trips, a saw mill, a horse trailer, a bass boat, two road bicycles and more.

“You can always count on veterans continuing to serve their fellow veterans and that’s just what Mike and Jeff continue to do year-after-year,” said Robin Kelleher, co-founder and president of Hope For The Warriors. “They truly understand the sacrifice and service of those who serve in the United States military and believe in the A Warrior’s Wish program and its mission to fulfill wishes for those who have sustained physical and psychological wounds in the line of duty.”

Key sponsors for the Ride For Warriors include: Sal DiLorenzo and Bill Nelson in memory of his fallen fellow Vietnam infantryman John F. Ward.

For more information on Hope For The Warriors or its A Warriors Wish program, visit hopeforthewarriors.org,  Facebook or Twitter.

About Hope For The Warriors: 

Founded in 2006, Hope For The Warriors is a national nonprofit dedicated to restoring a sense of self, family and hope for post 9/11 veterans, service members and military families. Since its inception, Hope For The Warriors has served more than 19,000 through a variety of support programs focused on transition services, clinical health and wellness, sports and recreation and community development and engagement. The nonprofit’s first program, A Warrior’s Wish, has granted more than 180 wishes to fulfill a desire for a better quality of life or support a quest for gratifying endeavors. In addition, Run For The Warriors has captured the hearts of more than 23,500 since 2010. For more information, visit hopeforthewarriors.org, Facebook or Twitter.