Toran Gaal, a double-amputee combat-injured Marine veteran, has spent most of his summer on a cross-country cycling trip to raise money and awareness for the Semper Fi Fund, ARL Now reported Wednesday.
Gaal’s trip started June 1 in San Diego and is expected to end Sunday, August 2 in Arlington, Virginia. Gaal’s "Ride Across America" trip is an almost-4,000 mile ride done entirely on a hand-cycle:
Gaal embarked on the journey to raise money and awareness for the Semper Fi Fund, the charity that helped him recover after he was severely injured in an IED explosion in Afghanistan in 2011. Following the explosion, Gaal was comatose for two months and lost both legs and part of his hip.
"[The Semper Fi Fund] is doing so much good for every branch," said Gaal. "I wanted to pay it forward to the next generation."
The Semper Fi Fund provides immediate financial assistance and lifetime support to post-9/11 wounded, critically ill, and injured members of all branches of the armed forces. It also provides resources to the families of those injured.
Gaal is not making the trip alone. Brian Riley, another Marine injured in combat, is joining Gaal in a support vehicle. Gaal will mark the end of his ride by laying a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.