In Jordan's Honor Pulls Support of Soldier Ride
A key backer of Soldier Ride here on the South Fork has withdrawn support of the ride this year in light of the recent criticism of the Wounded Warrior Project, the nonprofit organization that is the primary beneficiary of Soldier Ride.
JoAnn Lyles, the mother of Marine Lance Cpl. Jordan C. Haerter of Sag Harbor, who died in the line of duty in Iraq in 2008, said via Facebook on Wednesday that her organization, In Jordan's Honor, will not participate in Soldier Ride this weekend, and she has asked Soldier Ride to remove her son's name from its promotional materials. She attributed her decision to the January news reports from CBS News and The New York Times that said the Wounded Warrior Project lavishly spent donor dollars on its own travel, hotels, and meals, an allegation that the Wounded Warrior Project and the local organizers of Soldier Ride have fervently disputed.
In an interview on Thursday, Ms. Lyles said it was a hard decision to make. "On the local level, I think we still did good, but the Wounded Warrior Project got so big and I think things got out of control," she said. "I think here, where Soldier Ride started, it's still grassroots and everybody volunteers and no one gets paid. . . . People were questioning why I was supporting the Wounded Warrior Project. I do hope they get back on track."
Chris Carney of East Hampton, one of Soldier Ride's founders, called Ms. Lyles's Facebook announcement "distressing," but said it would have been counterproductive to become involved in a social media discussion.
"She is entitled to her own opinion," Mr. Carney said on Friday, the day Soldier Ride took to the streets of Babylon. "I need to focus on the 45 wounded warriors who will be riding down our streets on Saturday morning, and my commitment is to them. I believe in the rehabilitative power of this ride. I've seen it firsthand. And I know our team of volunteers will galvanize to ensure they all get the support and love they deserve."
Ms. Lyles said In Jordan's Honor would continue to raise money for its own scholarship program and support other organizations that help veterans, including Hope for the Warriors and 9/11 Veterans, as well as the Marine Corps Scholarship Fund. She said her team is planning its first-ever Jordan's Run in Sag Harbor on July 30, which was her son's birthday. The 5-kilometer run/walk event is to start at 6 p.m., and will begin and end at Pierson Middle and High School. More details can be found online.