Retired Army Sgt. Ed Richards experienced firsthand the psychological impact of the Bosnian Conflict, helping to find the bodies from the Srebrenica Massacre. In 1995, Bosnian Serb forces under Ratko Mladic, systematically executed 8000 Bosniak men and boys after capturing the U.N.-designated area of this community.

Some U.N. officials consider it the worst European massacre since World War II. While assigned to his unit in Germany, Richards, a signals intelligence noncommissioned officer, captured radio info on the massacre in 1995. He reported it to the U.N., NATO and his Department of Defense commanders.

If you talk to Richards about the Srebrenica Massacre, one can see the impact of these duties on his mental health after reporting info on this tragedy to his senior officers. To offset his PTSD resulting from his Bosnia duties, Richards said he discovered what he called wind therapy as a resource to help him forget those memories.

“Wind therapy helps you concentrate on you, the road and nature,” he said after completing the run.

Richards helped to organize the American Legion Riders rally that was held April 13, 2024, from Post 593 in Schertz to Post 460 in Castroville.

“There’s a special camaraderie with groups like this because you share the same ideas and experiences,” he added.

Richards said veterans and their families can join him and other American Legion Riders on June 14-16, 2024, in Mount Vernon, Texas. The ride will begin at American Legion Post 243.

Riders should visit this Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/504563740557885

Veterans who want to get more information about this American Legion Rally can also contact Richards at 703-232-3655