Riding for Warriors begins 12th ride to benefit military families through Hope For The Warriors

Photo Caption: (right to left) U.S. Airforce veteran Michael Nehlsen and Wayne Kohlbrecher at the Old State House in Hartford, Conn. on the 11^th annual Riding For Warriors.

Ride will raise money for scholarship programs for military spouses and caregivers.

HILLSBOROUGH, N.J. (July 15, 2026) — The 12th annual Riding for Warriors motorcycle ride, led by U.S. Air Force veteran Michael Nehlsen, will honor and remember the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Embarking the beginning of August, the ride will travel to sites and memorials connected to the attacks in New York City; Stoystown, Pennsylvania; and Washington, D.C.

All proceeds will benefit the national nonprofit Hope For The Warriors (HOPE) and its Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarships program.

In 2023, Nehlsen launched the Riding for Warriors Scholarship Fund, sponsored by Hillmann Consulting LLC, to fund multiple military spouse and caregiver scholarships for several semesters. The goal of the scholarship fund is to support recipients for consecutive semesters, allowing them to achieve their educational goals without interruption.

Founded in 2006, HOPE connects post-9/11 veterans, service members and military families with services that range from critical needs assistance to career and financial coaching, community connections through physical activity, mental health support and peer support.

In 2024, Leslie Blankenship, a U.S. Army spouse and caregiver, was the first graduate of the Riding for Warriors Scholarship Fund, completing her associate degree in nursing. The most recent graduate of the fund was Laura Hentig, a U.S. Army spouse and caregiver who finished her bachelor’s degree in health science.

“Providing scholarship funds to military spouses and caregivers to Hope For The Warriors, through Riding for Warriors, is how I continue to serve the veteran community,” said Nehlsen.

The multi-day journey will travel to sites and memorials connected to the Sept. 11 attacks, including Stephen Siller Firehouse, the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel and Ground Zero in New York; the Flight 93 National Memorial in Stoystown, Pennsylvania; and Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon in the Washington, D.C., area.

In over 11 years, Nehlsen has traveled more than 41,000 miles on his motorcycle, raising nearly $650,000 for Hope For The Warriors’ programs.

“As we mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, we are reminded of the service, sacrifice and resilience of the military families who have carried the weight of the past two decades,” said Robin Kelleher, co-founder and CEO of Hope For The Warriors. “For more than a decade, Michael has turned remembrance into action through Riding for Warriors, helping raise critical funds that directly support military spouses and caregivers pursuing their educational goals. His continued commitment to HOPE and to our scholarship program is a powerful example of how one person’s dedication can create lasting opportunity for those who serve alongside our nation’s heroes.”

Key sponsors for Riding for Warriors include Union, N.J.-based Hillmann Consulting LLC and Bill Nelson.

For more information on Riding for Warriors or to make a donation, visit https://2026ridingforwarriors.funraise.org/

About Hope For The Warriors: Hope For The Warriors is a national leader driving transformative change for the post-9/11 U.S. military community, including veterans and active-duty service members, military caregivers, spouses and family members, and families of the fallen. At HOPE, our mission is to deliver unparalleled services that uplift individuals and their families as they navigate the complexities of military life. We are committed to fostering resilience and a sense of purpose, ensuring that those who have served our nation thrive. Together, we forge a strong community that champions courage, commitment and grit. To learn more or support our mission, visit hopeforthewarriors.org.