Two people are attempting to change the world in honor of a dear friend and one of this Country’s bravest to served… Jacob S. Thomas, veteran of the 173 Airborne Brigade and recipient of the Army Commendation Medal for holding off the enemy alone under fire, saving the life of a wounded comrade. Their mission: A 2,000 mile bike ride from Atlanta, Georgia to Manhattan, New York to raise awareness for PTSD within our Service Men and Women.

The Operation Jake bike tour began on September 15th 2015, on a road trip headed to Atlanta, Georgia where Shannon Burbage and Ronald Perrone would begin their bike ride. The journey began on the one year anniversary of Jake’s passing, at the location where he left this world too soon. From Atlanta, Operation Jake will head north east traveling through to Savannah, Georgia. From Savannah, GA the team will head to Washington DC where they will rendezvous with Congressman Lee Zeldin, from October 7th through the 10th. From Washington, the bike ride will continue east to Annapolis, Virginia, then to Philadelphia and finish back home, in New York City. At each destination, the founders of BeesWELL, Shannon Burbage and Ronald Perrone will stop to speak, listen and document the stories of homeless veterans, active duty personnel, veterans, their families and friends. They will be giving out BeesWELL Personal Stoves and Survival Kits to the homeless and creating a documentary of raw interview footage, which will go to Dr. Mitchell Schare. The director of Hofstra’s Phd. Clinical Psychology Department, Dr. Mitchell Schare will use the footage to better understand, treat and diagnose PTSD, train students, and design innovative programs for our veterans.