News Release
 
Contact: Sondra Katzen, Public Relations, 708.688.8351, sondra.katzen@czs.org
 
June 23, 2016
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Photos may be downloaded below:
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Photo Captions—photo credit: Kelly Tone/Chicago Zoological Society
7605: Veterans participating in the Wounded Warrior Project’s Soldier Ride pass under an American flag draped across two ladder trucks from Riverside and Brookfield fire departments prior to entering Brookfield Zoo.
 
7646, 7649, 7654, and 7665: Riders participating in the Wounded Warrior Project’s Soldier Ride are cheered on by Brookfield Zoo guests and campers and staff as they pass by.
 
7625, 7632, 7682, and 7696: Brookfield Zoo campers hold up flags and signs they made for the wounded veterans during the Wounded Warrior Project’s Soldier Ride through the park on June 23.
 
7794: Members of the Chicago Zoological Society’s King Conservation Science Scholars Program presented the warriors with a sign after the veterans ridge through Brookfield Zoo on June 23.
 
 

Brookfield Zoo Welcomes Wounded Warrior Project

 
 
Brookfield, Ill.—Brookfield Zoo was the final destination of a one-day 18-mile cycling event for dozens of wounded veterans as part of the Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) Soldier Ride^®. Just before entering the zoo’s south entrance, the riders passed under an American flag draped across two ladder trucks from Riverside and Brookfield fire departments. Once inside the park, staff and zoo guests and campers waving flags lined the walkways to cheer on and acknowledge the warriors as they passed by.

This is the second year, the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo, hosted WWP. After riding through the park, the warriors were served lunch in the zoo’s Pavilions followed by a narrated tour of the zoo aboard Motor Safari trams.

Today’s ride is part of a four-day 63-mile ride throughout the Chicagoland area. Soldier Ride is a chance for participants to heal their bodies and minds. Many wounded veterans face similar challenges with isolation when transitioning to civilian life, and events like this offer a way to connect with other warriors and learn they are not alone.