1,000 in Wounded Warrior bike ride

The scorching temperatures and suffocating humidity may have seemed unbearable to some Friday. But for those about to embark on a 22-mile bike ride benefiting wounded soldiers, there were only humble expressions of gratitude.

"You can't complain about the heat when you see these guys roll up," said Lisa Conlon, 47, of Brentwood, gesturing to a line of injured soldiers, including amputees, getting on their bikes. "It's an honor riding with them."

More than 1,000 people participated in the Wounded Warrior Project's Soldier Ride, which began at Babylon Town Hall in Lindenhurst and finished at Overlook Beach on Ocean Parkway. The Wounded Warrior Project is a national service organization offering more than a dozen programs for injured service members and their families, such as benefits counseling and speaking engagements.

The scorching heat caused dozens of riders to drop out before the finish line, and nearly two dozen others needed medical treatment for heat-related ailments, officials said, including one wounded warrior airlifted to a hospital. The man, who was not identified, recovered quickly and was released, said Daniel Schnock, director of Soldier Ride.

More than three dozen soldiers injured in action took part, some from the British and Israeli armed forces. Many had prosthetic arms and legs or other visible war wounds.

Others, like Joe Seyford, had injuries not immediately apparent. A casual observer can't see the three gunshot wounds or the scars from the rocket-propelled grenade that hit his unit's Humvee in Iraq.

When Seyford, 33, did his first soldier ride Thursday in Manhattan, he said he looked at the severely wounded around him and thought he might not belong. But the Army specialist from Columbus, Ohio, said he knows the emotional and physical pain of being a wounded soldier and the help his fellow veterans need to transition back to civilian life.

"For a while I was the one getting carried," said Seyford, who has two Purple Hearts. "Now I'm trying to get to the point where I can carry someone."

At a ceremonial kickoff, the town presented the Wounded Warrior Project with a check for $120,000 raised through the ride and other donations. Supervisor Steve Bellone introduced the participating service members, including Marine Lt. James Byler, 25, of Huntington, who lost both legs when he stepped on an IED while leading a patrol in Afghanistan last year.

"I know it's hot out, but at least we're not wearing body armor," he said. "It could be worse."

The ride began just before 10 a.m., and the last riders finished about 1:30 p.m. The Suffolk County Water Authority provided water, and the town had trucks and air-conditioned buses alongside riders to pick up any who lagged behind, said town spokesman Tim Ruggeri. Emergency vehicles also trailed the riders, he said.

Before the ride, many participants expressed concern about the summer swelter. Maryanne Brachfeld, 44, of Massapequa Park, said she was not deterred.

"Look at this," she said, pointing to the wounded preparing to ride. "Who cares about the heat?"