CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine -- Daniel Buckley of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, founder of the No Marine Alone Project, will ride his bicycle 4,000 miles coast to coast beginning July 29, 2011. Buckley is making the ride to raise funds for The Marine Graduation Foundation, a small nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting families in need with necessary travel expenses to attend the graduation of their new Marine.

Buckley will begin his trip on the Atlantic Coast at Parris Island Marine Recruit Depot (Boot Camp) in Beaufort, South Carolina, and end on the Pacific Coast at the San Diego Marine Recruit Depot in California.

His goal is to raise $500,000 through individual donations to create an endowment to enable the Foundation to continue its mission well into the future.

"I feel honored to ride for The No Marine Alone Project to further the Foundation's work. Graduation day is very significant in the life of every Marine and in the lives of their families as well. To earn the title of United States Marine is a process so rigorous and transformational that family members are often shocked by their child's new demeanor. Upon reuniting with their son or daughter, brother or sister, they suddenly realize that the child of 13 weeks ago has become an adult, worthy of great respect and admiration. Sadly, too many new Marines stand proudly in formation knowing that their family is not among the cheering throngs in the bleachers. They stand and watch as their fellow graduates' families pour from the stands to greet their new Marine. I wanted to do something to help new Marines and their families and ensure that 'No Marine Should Ever Stand Alone' on the proudest day of their lives. I watched my own son march onto the parade ground and graduate Private First Class at Parris Island. As a parent, my sense of pride and admiration cannot be described and I would have moved mountains to be there for him. In fact, I rode my bicycle 1,000 miles to be there for him."

Published May 14, 2011