Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
Marine on a Mission, Riding with a Purpose was proposed to Give 2 Those in 2022 by visionary Marine Veteran Sgt. Joseph Leaston.
After discussing at great length this mission, Give 2 Those found that it would be a great benefit to bring hope, healing and inspiration in the form of recreational therapy to those who serve and their families. That being said it gives us here at Give 2 Those great honor to officially launch Marine on a Mission, Riding with a Purpose Program.
What is Marine on a Mission, Riding with a Purpose...
One Marine's story to make an impact across the Nation, Honor Fallen Heroes and to provide
recreational therapy for fellow Service Members & First Responders through riding.
As an 8 yr. Marine Corps Veteran, I wanted to give back to my fellow veterans. I searched for groups of like minded individuals. I found just that in “Give 2 Those” and the American Legion Riders.
In joining these organizations that were also called to action, I have been able to do so much for my
brothers and sisters. Still I yearned for more. This call was bigger than me. For the last 8 years I have been riding my motorcycle to honor the fallen and help veterans in need, yet I wanted to do more.
I needed to ride with a purpose, I needed a new mission. I envisioned riding my motorcycle to go further than I had gone before, to reach even more veterans and honor more of our Nation's Heroes. From this “Marine on a Mission, Riding with a Purpose” was born.
What I look to achieve through Marine on a Mission, Riding with a Purpose is to spread seeds of hope and help provide closure through every mile of this journey, as we traverse across the country. It is important to me and my crew to let the families we encounter know, their loved ones have not and will not be forgotten. Even though they are gone, they still have a pulse because their brothers and sisters in arms will not let them go.
We have vowed to say their names and we have vowed to live a life worthy of their sacrifice. They are more than a name on a poster hanging on the overpass. They are more than an anniversary date on a calendar. They are heroes and deserve to be remembered, honored and immortalized for their sacrifice.On July 22nd 2023 we will put rubber to the pavement and officially start our mission by honoring 13 of this great nation's fallen heroes. This is just the beginning and we hope to see it grow.
As we honor our fallen, past and present.
“You are not truly gone until there is no one left to say your name”
Sgt. Joseph Leaston USMC
"Semper Fi"
The Impact of the Mission
There is a reciprocal relationship between a rider and their motorcycle; one that can last a lifetime.
Marine on a Mission, Riding With A Purpose Program is a unique, healthy alternative of recreational therapy, referred to in the riding world as “Wind Therapy ''. To promote healing among ALL veterans and their families and friendsThis gives service members, veterans and first responders another resource to combat the effects of post traumatic stress, through community involvement and connecting them to like-minded peers, while they gain new perspectives of Honoring, Remembering and Paying Tribute to our Nation's Heroes through (Give2Those) Plaques of Honor. Riding provides a sense of Freedom, Community, Purpose, and a Comradeship which is hard to duplicate. It’s a positive alternative that lasts.
Each year rides are coordinated across the country by Joe and his team. These rides start at a specific location in order to ride a specific (Give2Those) Plaques of Honor, plaque to a family member of a Fallen Hero and/or to be presented to a Hero who is being recognized for their service to our Country/Community.
Benefits of Motorcycle-Riding for
Active Military Members, Veterans and First Responders
Researchers and psychologists have looked beyond motorcycle riding as purely an adrenaline kick. They’ve discovered that motorcyclists find riding to be a therapeutic process that allows them to de-stress. Riding motorcycles is good therapy. In a study funded by Harley Davidson and conducted by Dr. Don Vaughn and UCLA's Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, riding motorcycles improved metrics of focus and decreased stress biomarkers. The results of the study highlighted:
Decreased levels of the stress marker hormone cortisol and other DHEA stress markers.
The notable changes in heart rate, increased focus, attention, and adrenaline, along with the decrease in cortisol and DHEA markers are similar to changes often associated with exercise and stress-reduction activities. Alongside these physiological and hormonal benefits, many active military personnel, veterans and first responders find this hobby to be therapeutic as well as a bonding and cathartic experience.
A 20-minute ride increased participant heart rates by 11%, and increased adrenaline by 27%.
Increase in alertness in brain activity from riding, similar to the effect of drinking a cup of coffee.
Sensory focus was enhanced while riding with an increase in resilience to distraction. Increased metrics of focus
and attention.
Meet the Crew
Alone, we can do only do so much, with a strong crew we can accomplish so groundbreaking things!
Help Support our Mission, Honoring our Nation's Heroes.
Consider Becoming a Donor or Sponsor Today!
Click Yellow Link Below to see Flyer for Sponsorship levels. If needed we have also attached a second link with the Sponsorship Letter. Once you have made a choice download flyer, fill it out and mail it to the address provided on flyer
