AVENTURA, Fla. – U.S. Army veteran Brandon Deaton teamed up Wednesday with the Wounded Warrior Project on a four-day bicycle ride across South Florida.
Deaton served in Iraq from 2006 to 2007, returning home with an injured leg that was later amputated.
The Wounded Warrior Project helped Deaton and other wounded veterans with their recovery and transition. The organization also raises awareness of the needs that veterans have after serving overseas.
"Back home where I live, there's not a lot of wounded vets around my age or amputees or stuff," Deaton told Local 10 News. "So programs like these make it a lot easier to get connected."
Nick Kraus is the co-founder of the Soldier Ride.
"It's about camaraderie. It's about regrouping," Kraus said. "It's about seeing what your potential is, and it's more than just a bicycle ride."
Army veteran Jason Trefil, who was injured on a tour of duty in Iraq, is joining Deaton on the four-day journey.
"Everything that they can do to make it better makes it that much more easier," Trefil said.
Veterans were fitted for bicycles Wednesday as they prepared for the 48-mile journey from Miami to the Florida Keys. They'll cross the Seven Mile Bridge, ending in Key West.
"Are you ready?" Local 10 News reporter Ben Kennedy asked Deaton.
"I hope I am," Deaton said.