NHP veteran rides for wounded warriors

Tom McCarthy
Reynaldo Able was one of 1,200 to ride in Babylon for the Wounded Warrior Project. (Photo courtesy of PSEG Long Island)

New Hyde Park resident and Army veteran Reynaldo Able believes that the “never quit” attitude he developed in the service is what helped him get through the Town of Babylon’s 12th Annual Soldier Ride to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project July 19.

Able, a PSEG Long Island employee, rode with fellow employees at the event. Before maintaining electronic systems, Able served in the U.S. Army for seven years. He said he was assigned to the 1st Armored Division and then the 82nd Airborne Division. He then eventually earned the rank of sergeant.

“My job in the Army was a Cavalry Scout, which is basically ‘the commander’s eyes and ears on the battlefield.’ Our job would be to be out forward of the main units and gather intel,” Able said.

After serving in the Army, Able worked at Con Edison for 10 years before he joined PSEG Long Island in 2015. Able said he works in Corporate Security as the technical security manager for PSEG. He and his team oversee all of the electronic security systems in PSEG Long Island’s buildings and yards. Able said that his time in the military prepared him for his job as he learned how to be “mission-oriented.”

“The Army teaches you to have the resolve to complete tasks to the best of your ability and not be afraid to take on challenges as they come,” Able said.

About 95 people of the record-breaking 1,200 participants who rode this year were on Team PSEG Long Island. PSEG Long Island said nearly $1,000 was raised at the fund-raiser.

Able said it is very important for veterans to give back to other veterans who may be less fortunate in their lives after serving.

“All soldiers share a special bond in the experiences we all went through. Participating in events like this show the wounded veterans that we support them. It was great to applaud them and shake their hands as they rode by,“ Able said. “As a veteran, it’s been amazing to see the PSEG Long Island team grow every year I do the ride.

Soldier Ride is an annual bike ride that begins at Babylon Town Hall, goes through Copiague, Amityville, Lindenhurst, and Babylon, and travels over the Robert Moses Causeway before ending at Babylon’s Overlook Beach.

“Soldier values have a tendency to stay with you long after you leave the military,” Able said. “We have had a group from PSEG Long Island riding in this event for three years. It has grown exponentially in the amount of money we have raised and riders involved. This year we had nearly 100 riders and next year there likely will be more.”

Share this Article