2018 World T.E.A.M. Annual Review 2018 World T.E.A.M. Annual Review | Page 13

A group of older military veterans
stand at attention. With quiet dignity,
they salute the passing athletes who
are pedaling hand cycles, recumbent
bicycles, and standard upright bicycles.
In a moment, the cyclists are out of
sight, but the veterans hold their salute
for a moment before slowly lowering
their hands, out of respect for veterans
who have served their country in war
and in peace.
World T.E.A.M.’s Face of America Liberty
introduced a new route in 2018, a
change from the program’s first two
years that ended in Manhattan. On
September 29, participants cycled
56 miles from the historic home
of Washington Irving’s Headless
Horseman at Sleepy Hollow, New York
to the United States Military Academy
at West Point. Along the Hudson
River Valley, athletes pedaled through
quiet farmlands, old growth forests
with bright autumn leaves, and small
communities that have been home to
generations of Americans.
TEAM > INDIVIDUAL
Chaired by U.S. Army Special Forces
Captain James McCauley, Jr., Face of
America Liberty welcomed Northwell
Health as a returning partner in the
cycling challenge. Phelps Hospital
in Sleepy Hollow served as the start
and Northern Westchester Hospital in
Mount Kisco hosted the morning rest
stop. Hospital staff at both locations
offered friendly support as enthusiastic
volunteers to help meet the needs of
the athletes.
Like Face of America Gettysburg in
the spring, Liberty welcomed adaptive
and able-bodied athletes consisting of
military veterans and civilians. With a
modest number of athletes in 2018, the
journey north from Sleepy Hollow had
a personal and supportive feeling. This
led to friendships that will last long after
the program’s conclusion that afternoon.
The hilly route along the Hudson River’s
eastern bank ended after a steep climb
and descent to cross the river on the
scenic Bear Mountain Bridge, once the
world’s longest suspension bridge.
On the west side of the Hudson,
athletes pedaled north to the United
States Military Academy. Once inside
the Academy’s gates, cyclists led
by West Point alumnus Col. Gregory
Gadson, passed numerous historic
buildings on campus before arriving
at scenic Trophy Point. Here, many
captured trophies from past wars and
conflicts are on public display.
A segment of a giant 75-ton chain that
once crossed the Hudson is also on
view; it prevented British war ships
from following the river north during the
Revolutionary War. While celebrating
the finish with food and beverage, many
of the athletes took time to relax and
enjoy the inspiring view of the Hudson
River below. In the warm sunshine,
participants, volunteers, and families
celebrated the successful conclusion
of Face of America Liberty and made
plans for the future.
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