Ep. 52: Perry Steed, Operation: Purpose

Rider Magazine Insider

Our guest on Episode 52 of the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast is Perry Steed, and he was interviewed by Rider’s associate editor, Paul Dail, who wrote a feature about Steed titled “Riding for Light” for the October 2022 issue of Rider. Steed is a former Army paratrooper, and he served in the 82nd Airborne with Sgt. Kristopher Cool. On April 24, 2012, Cool took his own life. On May 20 of last year, Steed departed Wilmington, North Carolina, on his BMW R 1200 GS and embarked on a 48-state trip covering more than 15,000 miles. The purpose of his trip was to pick up Cool’s ashes in Minnesota and take them to Fort Bragg to spread on Sicily Drop Zone as a “rally cry for support” for the epidemic of veteran suicide. During his ride, Steed met with fellow veterans he served with as well as old friends. He spent the many hours of solo “helmet time” working through his own struggles as a veteran and as a husband and father. In this episode, Steed talks about how he got into motorcycles, as well as his “Ride for Light” mission. He’s candid and honest about his ongoing challenges, which are shared by many veterans. Steed talks about Operation: Purpose, the nonprofit he created to support fellow veterans. You can find out more and make a donation at OperationPurpose.net. Steed completed his mission: He dispersed Sgt. Cool’s ashes at Sicily Drop Zone, and Paul wrote a follow-up feature about it for the February 2023 issue of our sibling publication, American Rider. We owe a debt of gratitude to all veterans for their service, and we owe it to them to support veteran causes. If you or someone you know is in danger because of suicidal thoughts or actions, call 911 immediately. Suicide is an emergency that requires help by trained medical professionals and should always be treated seriously. Nationwide suicide hotlines, 1-800-SUICIDE and 1-800-273-TALK have counselors available 24/7. LINKS: OperationPurpose.net, “Riding for Light” feature about Perry Steed