As a result of Jake’s passing along with the pain and regret that I could not save him or help him better cope with the effects of PTSD, my partner, Ron Perrone, and I have set out to complete Operation Jake. Operation Jake is a bike ride we are undertaking, unsupported, from Atlanta, GA to New York City. Jake’s family still lives in Atlanta where we will have a small memorial ceremony, and then begin our journey.
The mission of Operation Jake is to raise awareness for PTSD as well as to create a documentary, interviewing active duty personnel, veterans, veterans’ families and friends. The raw footage we gather will be given to our team member, the director of Hofstra’s Phd. Clinical Psychology Department, Dr. Mitchell Schere. Dr. Mitchell Schere will use the footage to help better diagnose PTSD, treat PTSD, train students, and build better programs for veterans. (See attached bio about Dr. Mitchell Shere) Riding on bicycles is meant to be symbolic of the challenges and triumphs that our military personnel go through day in and day out. They serve for us, and it is our turn to serve for them.
Although the ride is just the two of us without any following vehicles or support, riders are more than welcome to join throughout the trip. We know the issues surrounding PTSD and support for our veterans is important to many, and awareness is key.
Operation Jake will begin September 15, leaving Atlanta, GA and heading to Savannah, GA. From Savannah, GA we will head to Washington DC. We will be in DC between the 7th to the 10th of October. From DC we will ride to Annapolis, VA, then to Philadelphia, then to our final destination, New York City.