The Wounded Warrior Project, founded in 2003, was created to assist wounded veterans who have served after 9/11.

The non-profit offers nearly 20 programs to help soldiers overcome their mental and physical injuries back home.

One of their most popular programs, Soldier Ride, originated at The Stephen Talkhouse during the Northeast blackout of August 2003.

Sitting around the bar, owner Peter Honerkamp, partner Nick Kraus and

bartender Chris Carney were talking about raising money for three wounded Iraq vets when the conversation turned into how Carney could raise a million dollars for many injured soldiers if he rode a bicycle from Montauk to San Francisco.

At that moment, Carney didn't even own a bike. But a year later, he set out across America with the help of Talkhouse doorman Tek Vakaloloma.

A year later, a couple of injured soldiers joined Carney for another cross-country cycling trip.

Soldier Ride grew from there and became part of the Wounded Warrior Project.

Now, over 2,000 solders are part of planned rides each year in the U.S. and around the world - with annual kick-offs being held at the White House in Washington, DC.

For more information, watch a Soldier Ride documentary or visit the program's official page.

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Wounded Warrior Project / Official Site