Retired Army Colonel from Omaha Embarks on Cross-Country Bike Ride to Honor Fallen Soldiers

The retired Army colonel is with his guys: the six paratroopers who gave their lives in Afghanistan in 2007 while serving under his command. Pfc. Chris Pfeifer. Sgt. Adrian Hike. Spc. Jacob Lowell. Staff Sgt. Ryan Fritsche. Capt. David Boris. Maj. Tom Bostick. The names of six soldiers from Chris Kolenda’s unit who died in Afghanistan are etched on the top crossbar of his bicycle. On Sunday, Kolenda will start a 1,700-mile, 28-day bike ride from Spalding, Nebraska, to Arlington, Virginia, visiting the grave sites of each of the six men.“So I can see them,” Kolenda explained. “Whenever I need a bit of motivation, all I need to do is look down.”

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