Project Echelon | Helping veterans through bike racing

An average of 22 veterans commits suicide every day. An additional 20% of veterans are believed to suffer from dependence or addiction to drugs and alcohol. For many veterans, self harm and addiction are their escape from the internal and external battles they have fought and continue to fight, manifested from chronic pain, post traumatic stress (PTS), or traumatic brain injuries. For others, the internal struggle may not with the struggles of PTS or addiction, but rather a struggle to re-engage in their day-to-day home lives or in the community. Recent research has shown that physical activity is one of the most effective, accessible, and sustainable forms of therapy for veterans. For this reason, Project Echelon is dedicated to helping veterans rediscover themselves and re-engage in community through physical activity.

One of the major advocates for and public outreach platforms of Project Echelon is the Pro Cycling Team. In 2019, the team ranks as one of the top teams in the country, taking to the podium 57 times, including some of the highest profile professional races in North America, establishing an extremely powerful presence in the Midwest and across the country, providing a huge word of mouth and digital media platform to share the mission and vision of Project Echelon and its sponsors.

While our elite athletes take training and competition very seriously, our main goal is to use our talents to shine a positive light on the veteran community and the organizations that support them. The reality is that physical activity, in any form, is much more than sport or exercise, it is a form of therapy. Our athletes are also very active in the community, connecting with veterans and community members through events such as the Milwaukee Veterans Day Parade and working with local schools to start cycling programs as a means of teaching STEM Education and promoting lifetime fitness, while also teaching youth to value, respect and honor the men and women who served our country. Each year, we are honored and privileged to interact with and inspire thousands of men, women, and children from across the country as we race and train in their communities, participate in community events, and engage in school visits.

Project Echelon has a strong and impactful presence across the US and we would love to work in partnership with your team to promote the work of your business, while also sharing our common values of integrity and quality and sharing the work of and inspiring communities through the mission and vision of Project Echelon. To learn more about Project Echelon, please go to www.projectechelon22.org and www.projectechelonracing.com.