Sailors Volunteer at "Tour de Cure"

SAN ANTONIO (NNS) -- Sailors from the Naval Technical Training Center (NTTC), located on board Joint Base San Antonio, took part in The Tour de Cure of South Texas, May 11.

Tour de Cure is a series of fundraiser cycling events held in 44 states nationwide to benefit the American Diabetes Association (ADA). The Tour is a ride, not a race, with routes designed for everyone from the occasional rider to the experienced cyclist.

"Riding in the Tour de Cure means a lot to my family, who like many, have been touched by diabetes," said Master-at-Arms Seaman James Jones, a student at NTTC who participated in the 50-mile ride. "It also meant a lot to come out wearing Navy on my chest and enjoy the ride that benefits so many people around the country."

More than forty Sailors volunteered their time and talents to help support Saturday's "Tour de Cure" in South Texas, that reportedly raised more than $400,000 dollars.

The event started at Retama Park located in Selma, Texas with approximately 800 riders, and featured rides that varied in distance from 15 to 100 miles.

"It's a great opportunity to help such a great cause along with the San Antonio community," said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Kojiro Thomas, an instructor at NTTC who also serves on the "Tour de Cure" volunteer committee.

Gunner's Mate 1st Class Kyle Farley, an NTTC instructor who also serves on the "Tour de Cure" volunteer committee said, "Diabetes affects a large number of people, and it's touching to see so many families participate in an event like this. Being able to include our NTTC Lackland students as volunteers really touched both riders and volunteers. I'm just so blessed and proud to be a part of this great cause."

Farley also commented that having the opportunity for Sailors to participate and volunteer really touched both the riders and other volunteers at the event and he feels blessed and proud to be a part of a great cause.

Last March, Sailors from NTTC also participated in the precursor to this event called the "Red Rider Relay," which Farley said was essential to the success of "Tour de Cure."

NTTC Lackland works year-round to support and reach out to the local community through events like "Tour de Cure" to help change dreams into reality.

NTTC Lackland is a component within the Center for Security Forces. The Center provides specialized training to more than 28,000 students each year and has 14 training locations across the U.S. and around the world.

For more news from and information about the Center for Security Forces, visit us at http://www.navy.mil/local/csf/, www.netc.navy.mil/centers/csf/, or www.facebook.com/CENSECFORHQ#.