Wounded Warriors bike through Brunswick

As a group of wounded young soldiers biked into Southport this morning, World War II Veteran Hank Zimmerman could barely keep his composure.

“When you go through a war, it’s like going through hell,” Zimmerman said. “And I was a little choked up just looking at them because I know what they went through.”

The bike ride benefits the Wounded Warrior Project — an organization dedicated to helping wounded soldiers. Southport was the group’s second stop this morning. They were greeted by residents and the roar of Thor — the town’s signature cannon.

“It’s a good workout for me too so that’s why I’m doing it,” said Brent Hendrix, who recently lost his leg when he drove over a roadside bomb in Iraq.

Hendrix biked alongside Tai Cleveland, who was paralyzed during Marine Corps training in Kuwait. Cleveland said the ride helps bring wounded soldiers together.

“It allows me to have that camaraderie with my fellow soldiers who are injured and just enjoy one another’s company,” he said.

“All I want to do is say God bless them all,” said Hank Zimmerman, as he fought back tears.

Over the past four days the Wounded Warriors biked nearly 160 miles along the Carolina Coast. They raised more than $4,000 for their cause.