By Andy Rieger
NORMAN — Watch Video
Kevin Baker leaves his apartment and eases his eastbound cycle onto the asphalt shoulder of State Highway 9 on Norman's south side. The Saturday morning sun bathes the gentle, blacktop ribbon that stretches out before him. A wicked south wind reminds him it is springtime in Oklahoma.
Baker and his seven wheels -- three on the hand-cycle and four more on his trailing wheelchair -- are on a journey to Washington, D.C. He hopes to average 75 to 100 miles a day over the next 15 weeks. He rode 1,000 miles in all of last year. This solo journey is closer to 2,400 miles.
One flag hoisted atop his wheel chair will honor fallen members of the military. Another is the American flag. He is carrying a laptop and a petition urging Congress to adopt the Honor and Remember flag as a new national symbol by passing HR Bill 1034. He hopes to get one signature for every soldier killed in Iraq.
"I'm riding to raise awareness of disabled veterans and to promote the Honor and Remember flag," said Baker, 39, and a disabled veteran of the first Gulf War.
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A Navy firefighter, Baker was working alongside U.S. Marines in Kuwait on Feb. 24, 1991, when a Scud missile slammed into his barracks. He was thrown about 200 yards and landed against a cconcrete wall. He was hospitalized for months and discharged from the service with a small, monthly check, Social Security and a 10 percent disability.
"I've been fighting the government for nearly 20 years," he said. Besides the neurological impairment to his legs, Baker has Gulf War syndrome and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He's been unable to work and lived in a variety of places after the war before coming to Norman where a brother is a student.
He will hand pedal his 18-speed specialty bike alone but hopes others will join in the cause along the route. After a bumpy start and equipment problems, he began his journey Saturday morning. The Freedom Riders will likely find him and help ease the journey. No Oklahomans were helping him early Saturday but he'll likely get some help along the way.
A brother-in-law will photograph part of the journey and Baker will keep an online journal at www.honorandremember.org. He'll drop by his mother's home in Virginia, too. A group of riders will make the trek from Washington, D.C., to Gettysburg, Pa.
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The Honor and Remember Flag was created by George Lutz, whose son Tony was killed by a sniper's bullet in Iraq in 2005. It was unveiled in Norfolk, Va., last Memorial Day and has been embraced by several veterans groups and the American Gold Star Mothers.
Baker learned about the flag as part of the Soldier's Angels group that assists wounded veterans. He became curious about the flag and was impressed enough to spread the word about it by riding his bike for 15 weeks straight.
His arms are strong enough to push the 14-foot rig which is complete with its own GPS device. He'll camp out along the way and has enough money to pay for his own food. If he tires, he has a plan. "I'll rest, then I'll keep going," he said. "I'll make it. Eventually."
Andy Rieger 366-3543 editor@normantranscript.com
