The ride was led by Air Force veteran and Hillsborough-based Michael Nehlsen, who was joined this year by U.S. Marine veteran Maj. Gen. Jim Kessler and his wife, Debbie. The event was sponsored by Union, New Jersey-based Hillmann Consulting.

Hope For The Warriors is a national nonprofit dedicated to restoring a foundation of stability, strength, and community for post-9/11 veterans, service members, and military families, according to a press release through Hope For The Warriors.

This year’s 1,600 mile European journey began in Geneva, Switzerland, and traveled through France with multiple stops, including Macon, Bourges, Le Mans, the D-Day Normandy Beach areas, Mont Saint-Michel, La Rochelle, Lourdes, Montpellier, Lyon, and winding up back in Geneva, all aiming to raise awareness and funds for post-9/11 veterans and their families for the Hope For The Warriors’ Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarship program.

Since 2006, Hope For The Warriors has awarded Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarships twice a year. The program recognizes and rewards post-9/11 spouses and caregivers for their strength, fidelity and resolve despite adversity as they assume critical roles in the financial well-being of their families.

Proceeds from the ride are benefiting The Riding For Warriors Scholarship Fund, sponsored by Hillmann Consulting, LLC, and Michael Nehlsen, funding three military spouse and caregiver scholarships for multiple semesters. The goal of the scholarship fund is to award recipients for multiple semesters, allowing them to achieve their educational goals without interruption.

The continuous scholarships military spouse and caregiver recipients include Laura Hentig, based in Colorado who is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in health science, Florida-based Leslie Blankenship who is pursuing her associates of nursing, along with Alaska-based Brenda Higgs, who is studying for her bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Additional funds will also be donated to the overall Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarship Program fund and allocated to those pursing Restoring Self Scholarships (bachelor’s degrees) and New Beginnings Scholarships (certificates and associate degrees).

“This program is vitally important to me for numerous reasons, but the primary reason is that we must never overlook the military family,” shared Nehlsen “This program offers military spouses and caregivers the opportunity to pursue their educational and career aspirations, which are often put on hold while they care for an injured military family member.”

In 10 years, Nehlsen has traveled over 38,600 miles on his motorcycle, raising over $520,700 for Hope For The Warriors’ programs. 

“The Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarship program is very dear to us and it was one of the first established programs at HOPE over 18 years ago,” said Robin Kelleher, founder and CEO of Hope For The Warriors. “We’re in awe of Michael’s support to HOPE through the years with his annual ride ranging across the United States and now through Europe with Maj. Gen. Kessler.

“The funds he raises are truly impactful but so is the awareness he’s bringing to HOPE and the military families that we serve.”

For more information on Riding For Warriors or to make a donation, visit hopeforthewarriors.org/ridingforwarriors2024.

For more information on Hope For The Warriors, visit hopeforthewarriors.org.

Since its inception, Hope For The Warriors has served over 171,000 service members, veterans, military spouses, and caregivers through 10 programs/services focused on providing financial, career and educational stability; physical and emotional strength; and social support that builds community. This includes The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Hope For The Warriors providing confidential, mental health care services.

The free event is organized by the Burlington County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with the Burlington County Commissioners and the Burlington County Department of Human Services’ Division of Military and Veterans Services. This year’s expo will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Student Success Center at Rowan College at Burlington County in Mount Laurel.

More than three dozen agencies, nonprofits and vendors are expected to participate in this year’s expo, making it one of the largest events of its kind in South Jersey.

The Armed Forces Heritage Museum’s mobile military museum will be present and free health screenings will also be offered at the expo, along with free veterans identification cards. The IDs are created by the Burlington County Sheriff’s Office and are available to any veteran who was honorably discharged from service and are often used by veterans to receive certain discounts or courtesies offered by some businesses and governments that are reserved for veterans.

Veterans interested in obtaining a veterans ID card at the expo are advised to bring a copy of their DD214 discharge document and another form of photo identification.

The Burlington County Clerk’s Office will also be present to assist veterans with its services, including its DD214 registration program. The free service is offered to all veterans in Burlington County. Under the program, certified copies of veterans discharge papers are kept by the Clerk’s Office for whenever a veteran or a member of their family need it. The records remain private and will not be released to anyone without the veteran’s consent or an authorized family member.

Warm meals will also be served at the event and veterans attending will receive a tote bag while supplies last.

Veterans may now receive a 30% off discount on Golf Greens Fees. They are also eligible for a 10% discount on items from the Golf Pro Shop, according to Mercer County Executive Dan Benson.

Veterans will only need to show proof of service or a VA (Veterans Affairs) identification card to receive discounted rates.

“I am excited to make golf more accessible and affordable for our veterans, as a way to show our continuing gratitude for their service,” Benson said. “Research has shown golf can be a therapeutic outlet for veterans to practice mindfulness while getting physical exercise.”