Two veterans completed a 220.5-mile overnight bicycle journey from Albany to Long Island to draw attention to veteran mental health and peer support, finishing after 25 hours on the road.
Gavin Walters Sr. and Todd Dorris reached the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Memorial in Rocky Point on Saturday, Oct. 24, according to the Dwyer Coalition for Military Veterans & Families and the New York State Department of Veterans' Services.
The Tour de Valor: One Million Voices began Friday, Oct. 23, at the Albany County Veterans Service Bureau. It had been expected to cover about 213 miles in roughly 22 hours.
Walters, an Air Force veteran and the coalition's executive director, said challenges along the way reinforced the ride's message about encouraging others and recognizing when someone needs support.
“The mission never changed,” Walters said. “There were challenges throughout those 25 hours, and there were moments when we had to figure out how we were going to get through them.”
Four veterans made up the riding and support team
Walters completed the ride with Dorris, an Army and Navy veteran who coordinates Dwyer Vet2Vet of Putnam under Guardian Revival.
Army veteran Justin Riccobono and Marine Corps Persian Gulf veteran Lionel Durant supported the riders throughout the journey.
Fire departments opened their doors along the route, while first responders, veterans, families, volunteers and community organizations welcomed and encouraged the team, according to the announcement.
The effort promoted suicide prevention, peer support, adaptive sports, recreation and connections among veterans and the broader military community. Its organizers sought to include service members, military families and caregivers in those conversations.
“We said from the beginning that we weren't trying to raise one million dollars. We were trying to raise One Million Voices,” Walters said.
He said the goal was to encourage people to reach out for help, reconnect with their communities or support someone else, rather than measure the ride by online attention.
Coalition plans a broader effort in 2027
The coalition plans to build on the ride with a statewide initiative in 2027. It intends to recognize Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Programs and the veterans, service members, families, caregivers, peer advocates, first responders and community partners involved in that work.
Adaptive sports and recreation programs, volunteers and community organizations are also part of the planned effort. Details will be announced as the plans develop.
The coalition supports New York's Joseph P. Dwyer peer-to-peer veterans support network. Its stated goals include reducing veteran suicide, improving mental health, addressing substance use and strengthening the well-being of military-connected communities.
Information about the coalition and its work is available on its website.
Veterans, service members and military families seeking help with benefits can contact the New York State Department of Veterans' Services at 888-838-7697 to arrange an in-person or virtual meeting with an accredited veterans benefits adviser.
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