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By Barbara Davis | Staff Writer
Led by U.S. Navy Seal veteran Jesse Clay, the second annual Twistin’ the Wrists cross-country riders made their way into Southeast Texas on March 17 for a warm welcome at Cowboy Harley-Davidson of Beaumont.
After serving for 14 years, veteran Seal Clay rejoined civilian life and the workforce only to notice that many of his brothers and sisters in service were facing similar struggles of financial hardship and uncertain sense of purpose.
Clay said that wind therapy on his Harley always tends to put life back into perspective for him, and that his love for the open road and his brothers in service led him to begin the cross-country benefit ride.
“When the guys join the service, they get with a unit, they become an integral part of the process,” Clay explained. “When they get out and all of a sudden do not have such big responsibilities, struggle to find jobs, or to have to work two and three jobs at a time, their mental health begins to suffer.
“I would call to check on a buddy as I was riding through, and so many times I would hear that someone we knew took their own life. I would talk to my friends about trying to start something to help the situation, and my old commanding officer told me ‘Unless you’re going to do something, shut up!’”
It was at that moment Clay knew shutting up wasn’t an option, so he needed to act.
“Twenty-two veterans a day succumb to suicide, and that’s 22 too many,” Clay said, still not silent.
The former Navy Seal had been working as a riding coach at Harley-Davidson for years and, after about seven years of discussion, Clay decided to put his words into action and hit the road. With the full support of Harley-Davidson, the Twistin’ the Wrists for the Troops organization is now in its second year.
Clay and crew made Beaumont their sixth of 21 stops along the 3,600-mile route from Florida to California, all undertaken in an effort to raise awareness of mental health among veterans, as well as much needed funds to provide resources for the same.
What began as solely a Seal team effort has quickly evolved into a joint effort from veterans of several branches of the U.S. Military.
Local bike clubs were present to support and welcome the group. The event began with the Presentation of Colors by the Southeast Texas Veterans Service Group, followed by a moment of silence for veterans who suffered in silence, succumbing to mental illness, and ultimately took their own lives.
Mistress of Ceremony Sandra Womack and committee member Susie Richard said they were honored to introduce special speakers including Clay, Mayor Robin Mouton, and local minister and veteran Perry Celestine.
Celestine’s message was one of action rather than words, saying, “Thanking someone for their service and offering them a seat at the table are two different things.”
“Every day should be Veteran’s Day, for these men and women have earned a seat at that table rather than eating a meal they begged for under the overpass,” Celestine said. “God has blessed me with the opportunity to sit and talk with our veterans, and a lot of them are still in a war. You can pray with them, talk with them, feed them, and listen to them, but today’s society is often too busy to extend a helping hand. We have a mission and our veterans served their mission. We have a mission and an obligation to every veteran that put on that uniform; we have an obligation to respect and serve them because they first served us.”
Gratitude filled the showroom floor as men and women of service were greeted, thanked, and shown appreciation.
Cowboy Harley-Davidson and the Beaumont Visitor’s Bureau provided gifts to the Twistin’ the Wrists riders in honor of their presence and service. Following the reception, Cowboy Harley-Davidson hosted a crawfish boil with drinks, music and festivities to raise funds and continue the legacy of Cowboy and Harley-Davidson’s support of servicemen and women.
Resources are available for local veterans seeking assistance at Southeast Texas Veterans 4 Veterans, a local nonprofit organization whose goal is to help servicemen and women find the resources and help needed outside of Veterans Affairs.
The next meeting is Monday, Viet nam Veterans Day, March 27, at 6:30 p.m. at the VietnamWar Flight Museum, 12101 Blume Ave. in Houston, where a collaboration with other area veteran nonprofits is set to continue their efforts to ensure all veterans have access to vital health care services in their communities.
For more information, call (409) 227-0727.