M2M Cyclists Exceed Fundraising Goal for Wounded Warriors, Set 2026’s Bar Higher
October 15, 2025 | By Alex Panduro
The Air Force Heritage Memorial to Memorial (M2M) Bicycle Ride continues to pick up speed—both on the road and in its impact. On September 18, 2025, hundreds of Airmen, Guardians, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and civilians gathered at the Wright Brothers Memorial in Kitty Hawk, N.C., to begin their four-day, 350-mile journey to the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Va.
This year’s ride marked another milestone in the event’s steady growth. A record 270 riders took part, up from 202 in 2024, and together they soared past their fundraising goal of $64,000, raising a total of $73,000 for AFA’s Wounded Airmen & Guardians Program. In keeping with the tradition of doubling the target each year, the riders are aiming to raise $110,000 in 2026, and hope to overachieve for the fourth consecutive year.
The M2M ride was founded by former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein, USAF (Ret.), and Brig. Gen. Robert “Surf” Beletic, USAF (Ret.), with a vision to celebrate Air Force heritage, promote fitness and recruiting, and support wounded Airmen and Guardians. Staying true to that vision, both Goldfein and Beletic continue to ride alongside participants each year, embodying the teamwork and commitment at the heart of the event.
Growth has been largely organic. Many first-time participants joined after hearing stories from friends, colleagues, or fellow Airmen and Guardians who rode previously. While everyone shares a common goal of supporting wounded Airmen and Guardians, the motivations behind each set of handlebars are personal and varied. Some ride to honor loved ones. Others see it as a challenge to push their physical limits. Still others simply enjoy it as an opportunity to reconnect with the Department of the Air Force family after retirement.
This year, AFA sponsored six participants through the Wounded Airmen & Guardians Program. Returning riders Nikki Favuzza (a cancer survivor) and Chris Jachimiec (who has struggled with PTSD) welcomed four fellow medically retired servicemembers who joined M2M for the first time: Peter Cui, Jason DeMoss, Thomas Honeywell, and Tania Miranda Banks.
“We have hand cyclists [and] amputees coming from different branches of service, all able to share their story and work through finding that purpose again,” said Senior Master Sgt. Joshua Johnson, the M2M Deputy Director. “They miss the camaraderie of serving. This is part of their healing journey. And for us, it’s rewarding to even hear their story on how we can support each other and make sure that we don’t forget the things that they’ve sacrificed for our nation.”
Across the four days, riders experienced a powerful mix of camaraderie, perseverance, and joy. The peloton was even joined by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin and the Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force John Bentivegna at different points of the ride, both of whom gave inspiring remarks along the journey.
Even after long stretches on the road, tired faces gave way to determined smiles at each rest stop. Fellow cyclists offered encouragement, spectators cheered from the sidelines, and strangers became teammates over shared miles.
“You have other riders riding with you, it makes those miles go a little bit easier than doing anything alone,” said Favuzza. “I think that’s what I love most about cycling.”
“You really get to know who your wingmen and who your teammates are,” said Jachimiec. “You take your time pulling, you take your time supporting one another. It ties into the Airman’s Creed: ‘I will never leave an Airman behind, I will never falter and I will not fail.’”
The presence of these resilient riders enlightened the purpose of the ride for all 270 cyclists. Along the route, the Wounded Warriors shared their stories of resilience and service, inspiring fellow riders to dig deep through challenging stretches and reminding everyone why each mile matters.
As the peloton approached the Air Force Memorial for the final leg, the atmosphere was one of triumph—not just for the miles conquered or dollars raised, but for the community fueled along the way.
As first-time rider Thomas Honeywell put it, “This experience shows that persistence and community support can take you farther than you ever imagined.”
