On 27 July, VFW Post 605 Commander Timothy Povich travelled to Versailles to join 50 veterans from Germany, Canada, France and the United States for the final stage of the Project Hero 2025 European Challenge.
Finishing their 12-day ride through Germany and France on the same day as Tour de France final in Paris, Project Hero cyclists donned Yellow Jerseys in solidarity with the overall tour winner. In doing so, each Project Hero cyclist became a winner for completing the challenge and raising thousands of dollars in support of Veterans and First Responders throughout the U.S.
"Project Hero’s mission of Saving Lives by providing Hope, Recovery, and Resilience for America’s Finest resonates with what we are doing at the Veterans of Foreign Wars,” Commander Povich explained. "It’s all about serving our veterans.”
After kicking things off on 18 July with a casual ride through the beautiful German countryside, days 2 and 3 delivered some serious climbing and next-level challenges – every turn, every push was a test of strength and willpower. Through sweat, grit, and determination, the Project Hero cyclists not only conquered mountains, but built lasting memories and forged lifelong friendships.
Next up, a transfer to France, and three days of riding through the backroads of the Champagne region and visits to several WWI monuments and battleground sites.
As they cycled through the heart of France, they passed powerful memorials that stopped them in their tracks; each one a solemn reminder of those who gave everything, fueling the cyclists purpose with every pedal stroke.
Through wind, rain, and relentless terrain, the Project Hero peloton pushed forward, united in purpose and spirit. As they rode through Europe, they were able to remember, honor and respect the Marines who fought with unmatched courage at Belleau Wood. Not only did they honor Americans, but they paid tribute to those in the neighboring German cemetery as well.
Another transfer, this time to Versailles, brought the Project Hero cyclists to their final weekend of riding and commemorations. They stood in silence and presented wreaths at the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial, honoring American heroes who flew for France in WWI, as well as at the Suresnes American Cemetery.
From there, Paris greeted them with breathtaking views, the Tour de France speeding by in a blur of color and power and the spirit of determination in the air (after a nice fresh rainfall).
After miles of cycling, stories shared and mountains climbed, both literal and personal, this journey ended not just with a finish line, but rather with lifelong friendships, unforgettable memories and a renewed sense of purpose.
Project Hero President Todd Setter captured this spirit by saying in Paris, "The most amazing thing was to see our participants from four countries finish after twelve days together as one family, together remembering all those that were lost in World War I – truly living our theme of Remember, Honor, Respect all those involved in the war.”
This wasn’t just a challenge. It was a tribute, a triumph and a life-changing experience.
Commander Povich shared these sentiments as well, stating "it was an honor to ride together with Project Hero on their last day here in France. We’ve forged new friendships and look forward to their return in 2027.”
Since its founding in 2008, Project Hero programs have helped more than 10,000 Veterans and First Responders through cycling-based programs and other events.
From building and donating adaptive bikes and producing cycling events throughout the nation to supporting community-based rehabilitation and recovery programs and important medical and clinical research, Project Hero is raising awareness of the national PTSD mental health crisis and making a difference in the lives of thousands of Veterans and First Responders, as well as their families and communities.
For more about Project Hero and its mission, see www.weareprojecthero.org.
