What Did You Do for Independence Day?

Or perhaps I should more specifically ask, what did you do that mattered?

Most of you had barbecues and picnics with friends and family — and that matters to your personal world of family and even your own mental health.

A lot of you worked, either at home with improvement projects or at the office because you didn’t get time off or because there were simply projects that needed your attention — and that matters to your professional life and increasing your personal success and career trajectory.

But I want you to think about anything specific you did to celebrate Independence Day in a way that honored the sacrifice of those individuals who helped earn that independence and whose lives protect that independence every day of the year (not just on July 4th.)

All of a sudden potato salad and sparklers don’t seem all that meaningful, right?

Let me share with you what a friend of mine did — he rode across the state of Ohio to honor the sacrifice of our soldiers and pay respect at veteran memorials and cemeteries along the route.

Todd Reigle started Honor Ride Ohio in 2012 and increased his efforts and awareness for his second ride over this past weekend in 2013.  As Todd told more people about his plans and gained the support of his friends and corporate sponsors, several of his veteran friends demanded to be part of the ride themselves!  The first year Todd rode with four veterans and in the second year two more riders joined the team.

I’ve included the flyer at the end of this post that tells more about Honor Ride Ohio, but even more impactful is the video embedded below which allows you to hear Todd’s intent (and sincerity) in his own words.

I helped out as a member of Todd’s support road crew in his first year, but this year I was in the middle of moving from one apartment to another (which mattered in my own little world, but doesn’t make much of a dent in the world at large) and could only help with a monetary donation — but donations help support Todd’s efforts and raise money directly for a variety of veteran charities named on his website (www.ToddsRide.com) and 100% of the money donated goes straight to the charities.  All of Todd and his crew’s ride across the site, marketing, hotels, and food are sponsor support so that the most money possible goes directly to the veteran groups.

Won’t you please consider donating in the name of a veteran you know — or just in support of every veteran who pledges to give the ultimate sacrifice protecting our freedom.  And help spread the word by sharing Todd’s story, links, and video to your own network of friends, family, and co-workers.

Sacrificing a few dollars seems the least we can do from the sidelines.

And it matters.