Former President George W. Bush will host the second annual Warrior 100K at Palo Duro Canyon State Park on April 26-28. The 100-kilometer mountain bike ride is dedicated to U.S. servicemen and women wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan.

“I look forward to spending time with these wounded warriors in a beautiful part of Texas,” Bush said in The Bush Center web site. “The W100 is a great way to remind all our fellow citizens of the unbelievable courage, skill, and sacrifice of those who wear the uniform of the United States.”

Twenty veterans will participate in this ride which, according to The Bush Center web site, “highlights the courage and sacrifice of U.S. military personnel who served their country honorably and were significantly injured during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.”

According to a representative from The Bush Center, the event is not opened to the public and it is dedicated to the 20 warriors and their families.Nune Perez, vice-president of the WTAMU Veterans Network said the W100 is a way to pay the sacrifice the wounded warriors did for the U.S.

“I believe the best way to pay them is by recognizing them,” he said. “This particular project is the fact that they still show their courage and their strength and endurance even after they have been wounded.”

Perez said this week in April will be an exiting week for the Panhandle.

“You have President Clinton coming at the middle of the week and then you have President Bush coming at the end of the week,” he said.  “It is amazing for the Panhandle. It is an experience that just having the ability to have this in this area is eye opening.”