If you really want to see your own country more objectively, spend some time away from it. When I returned to the USA at the end of the summer of 2006 after being gone for a couple of years in the Middle East, the first thing I noticed was how polarized the country was. In my lifetime, I don't recall it ever being like this.

At any time of the day or night, you could turn on the TV and see an endless parade of talking heads, experts, and analysts slugging it out with each other. Everybody was shouting and nobody seemed to be listening. Meanwhile, more of our soldiers were getting hurt and killed every day, and for the majority of the American people, it was just business as usual. I wanted to get involved. I wanted to do something - even if only a small gesture - to remind people that "Support Our Troops" is not just a bumper sticker.

Being a veteran myself, I supported the cause of taking care of our wounded veterans and focusing attention on their sacrifices. But other than giving it some thought, that's about all I did.

I have a 20% disability rating from my time in the service. Most of my injuries are nothing serious - mostly sports or training injuries that got worse over the years. However, like millions of other veterans, I am still entitled to a certain level of healthcare through the VA system. When I returned to the US in August of 2006, I contacted the VA outpatient clinics in St Augustine and Jacksonville to inquire about scheduling a medical checkup, receiving prescription medications, and so on. I was told I would have to wait about 8 or 9 months for an appointment. I was already "in the VA system" from the time I spent in New York City and Atlanta, but apparently veterans have to re-enroll when moving to a new location, and then they get placed on a waiting list to see a doctor.

When I asked what I should do If I needed urgent care or medication for my asthma, I was told the following: I could either drive to the VA hospital in Gainesville (about 80 miles away), or get private health insurance. I suggested that maybe the VA should stop sending out a form letter indicating that the goal was to get veterans to see a doctor within a month when everybody knew the reality was far different. The staff member I spoke with agreed, but I bet they are still sending out the same letter to people who are seeking primary care. I decided to make some phone calls as I sit here writing this in early March, and I come to find out that more than six months after I submitted my re-enrollment paperwork, I am still on a waiting list and have not yet been scheduled for an appointment.

If I faced these issues, I am sure that lots of others with more serious medical problems than mine probably faced them as well. How long were veterans waiting to get medical treatment they were entitled to? How many routine medical conditions were turning into something more serious because of months spent on waiting lists? How many veterans were patiently waiting months for an appointment, assuming the system had their best interests at heart, when in fact they had no way of knowing if their paperwork had moved further than somebody's inbox?

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Between Thanksgiving and Christmas 2006, I started to think about what it would be like to take a bicycle trip across Europe or the US. I occasionally met long distance cyclists over my years of traveling, and was inspired by their spirit of adventure and their exploits. I was tempted to try it myself. As I researched this idea, I frequently noticed how friendly and supportive the members of the cycling community are, not just with each other but also with novices like me. They encouraged me to get on the road and start pedaling, insisting that I would thank them later for the encouragement.

Instead of trying a solo trip, I thought it would be a good idea, plus a lot more fun, to complete the journey with a group of like-minded adventurers. I quickly found information about several cross-country cycling clubs, several of which used their trips to raise money for cancer research, MS, and other worthy causes. But I didn't see any distance cycling events dedicated to raising awareness and funds for disabled veterans. (I've since learned that several groups have completed cycling and other athletic events to honor this cause, but for every person who heard about these events, probably ten others did not. Furthermore, with the number of injured service men and women growing daily, the need to highlight this issue is an ongoing one).

Around the same time, I recalled reading an article and seeing some TV coverage about the Intrepid Fallen Heroes' Fund and all the good work they were doing to help disabled veterans. With the support of donations contributed by private individuals and corporations, they had achieved some amazing things in a relatively short amount of time.

So...I connected the cycling idea with the desire to honor a cause I believe to be important.

I've never considered myself an avid cyclist. I still don't. But I enjoy long-distance challenges such as hiking and trekking, and realize that there is no better way to feel like a big kid again than to get on a bicycle and start pedaling. When you reach your destination after a long day of cycling, you really feel like you've earned it.

Completing a trip like this without any charitable intentions is a formidable task in itself. Now that I have decided to connect the trip with the mission of helping disabled veterans, it will surely add several layers of complexity to the task. Nevertheless, I'm convinced that the rewards and satisfaction of doing this to help other people will far outweigh the benefits of just doing it for myself.