Cpl. Guillermo Vargas Former Marine, Eric Frazier (left) and retired Marine Gen. Bob Magnus arearriving at the National Museum of the Marine Corps July 21 during T.E.A.M. Sports’ inaugural bike trek across America called The State Farm Sea toShining Sea. The bike ride stretches 4,000 miles from San Francisco to Virginia Beach.

An interesting fact about the riders is most of them are injured veterans, and to top thatoff they began their bike ride in San Francisco on May 22 for World T.E.A.M. Sports’ inaugural bike trek across America called theState FarmSea to Shining Sea.

The bike ride culminated at Virginia Beach on Saturday with a total of 4,000 miles. The museum motivated some of the athletes.

‘‘It’s good to come back to the Marine Corps Museum — kinda get the stage here,” saidformer Marine and exceptional athlete, Eric Frazier. ‘‘It means it’s another extreme challenge I can put under my belt. It’s another story I can go and tell another more injured veteran at the hospital that I took a bike ride across the United States, so they can see that they can be whatever they want to be if they just put their mind to it.”

Several Marines who participated in the ride said they loved the challenge.

‘‘This ride is a living example of what people can do with proper motivation, the proper team around them and putting your mind to a goal you want to accomplish,” said Maj. Van Brison, who will be retiring in August. ‘‘It’s proved positive that no one is confined by a condition or a situation — that you are what you decide to be in your mind, and that you decide to overcome any obstacle that’s in front of you. You can do that as long as you have the right team and people around you, the right motivation and mindset.”

The majority of the Sea to Shining Sea riders have risked their lives for their country, but their sacrifice doesn’t end there. They understand that they must lead by example even after the military.

‘‘It’s really a message for Americans and particularly for kids — don’t ever let anybody tell you what you can’t do. And because other people see these as disabilities and obstacles, they just see them as challenges. And some of these hills, and the hot weather and the humidity is just another day at the office for them,” said retired Gen. Bob Magnus. ‘‘I know that the troops over in Afghanistan have it hard, but these Marines and the rest of the troops are here for them too. Anything I can do for the rest of my life to support the United States Marine Corps, to support Marines,veterans of whatever service, and of courseto support those who are wounded from the war and their families, my wife Rose and I will be there. ”

But the Sea to Shining Sea riders could not have made it this far without the support.

‘‘Overall, it’s been a pretty tough challenge. I’m glad to have been part of that challenge. I’d like to thank State Farm for making this happen for us. They were a tremendous, tremendous sponsor for us. They insured we had all the water, all the Gatorade, all the electrolytes,” Frazier added. ‘‘As you can see, it’s pretty hot today right? Could you imagine no support? I can’t. My hat’s off to them, and we appreciate all the people who came here to support us.”

‘‘First of all, it’s an honor to be asked to participate. I’m employed by State Farm, and State Farm is a major sponsor of the ride itself. And I was asked to join the group from the beginning. We’ve supported the riders across the United States. So it’s been an honor to be a part of this but also to meet these incredible heroes,” said Howard Hill. ‘‘Probably the most amazing thing that I’ve seen is the riders’ camaraderie and how they help each other. Through the mountains, some of the hand cycles can’t climb the hills very well. It’s very difficult, and the hills are very steep. The riders will come back and help push them up the hill, or they’ll jump off their bikes and push them up the hill. So no one gets left behind, and everyone helps everybody else.”

To get information about the riders, go to http:⁄⁄s2ssbikeride.org⁄meet-the-riders⁄.

—Correspondent: guillermo.vargas@usmc.mil