The entire trip was documented
on Facebook using Matt’s phone. If
they didn’t have anywhere to stay that
evening, Matt would post a request for
a place for the horses, Raymond and
himself to stay and posting the rough
route for the next several days so that
everyone would know where they were
headed and all of those following the
Facebook Blog could keep track and
help steer them to those willing to help
them on their way.
The Facebook blog and interviews
highlighted the same thing over and
over again. Matt, Raymond and the
horses found help all along the way and
Matt was so overwhelmed by the fact
that “Our countrymen care.”
“If you are one of those that are hurting
and in a dark place, know that we are
riding for you. We’ve never met but I
know you. I’ve walked your path and I
know you. I’ve watched my brothers die
and I’ve lost more when we got home.
I know what it’s like to be isolated and
alone in a crowded room. On my oath
as long as my horses are healthy and
able we will reach the pacific we will
reach our goal. We will not stop this
fight. We will ride for you.”
It took Matt and Raymond a week to
get through North Carolina and head
into South Carolina.
As of May 19th the fund had already
raised $15,644.
Matt said that some of the most
memorable experiences he had on this
ride was his encounters with Vietnam
veterans. One of his encounters led
him to this post “I usually don’t post
during the day but I felt inclined to do so
today. I just met a Vietnam vet named
Al who came to me with tears in his
eyes about his son who is an Iraq vet
with PTSD. He’s having a real hard time
and it’s weighing heavily on him and
his family and he stopped to say thank
you for doing this ride. This ride is the
honor and privilege of my life. There is
no other way to say it. I am so deeply
humbled by all of you and so grateful to
have been picked to meet you all. Thank you from the bottom
if my heart”
At the end of May they rode into Georgia and Matt found his
dream horse Siren. She joined the ride, but was ponied to build
up stamina and get used to the conditions on the road.
By the end of June they were almost out of Mississippi
8 Thunder Roads Magazine® Colorado
and heading toward the great river. On July 4th Matt wrote
of this experience. “We are here at our spot just a few miles
shy of the Mississippi River. We are in a field in the middle of
nowhere and it’s incredibly peaceful. I was about to sit down
to my dinner of peanuts and warm water when two separate
people that I’ve never talked to or have seen showed up with
BBQ and cold drinks. I was content with our lot in life but yet
again the pure kindness in strangers came out and it chokes
February 2015
www.thunderroadscolorado.com