By Annie Nelson
With devices and computers completely consuming people’s lives, especially our youth, it’s refreshing to see this group of fathers and their kids out competing, practicing, traveling and fellowshipping, all while representing a cause. To top it off, these are veteran dads and their kids! Navy vet Doug Harwell started the ASN BMX team a few years ago with his then-three-year-old son Tucker. The team results from a passion, a prayer and a vision. Today, it has grown to multiple states, teams and families! Let’s get to know him and this incredible success story.
Annie Nelson (AN): When did you serve, and how did you pick the Navy?
Doug Harwell (DH): I went to the Navy recruiting station first and made my mind up then that [it] was the branch I wanted to serve in. I joined in June 1992 and was honorably discharged in March 2001. I served on the USS Ingraham FFG-61, COMPATWING 10 in Whidbey Island, and the USS David R Ray DD 971.
AN: What did you do when you first transitioned out of the military?
DH: I worked at Lowes Home Improvement as an assistant department manager and as a DJ at McCabe’s Country Bar in Everett and Tacoma, Washington.
AN: How did you decide to go into BMX?
DH: At three years old, my son rode his bike for the first time without training wheels. My brother-in-law mentioned that his son was doing BMX and we should see if there was a track local to us here in Austin. We found one, Central Texas BMX (now called Capitol City BMX), literally 10 minutes from us. We took Tucker there for the first time when he was three, and he instantly fell in love with it. After six months of running around the track with him, I decided to get a BMX bike and start racing with him. So, he really was the one that got me started in BMX.
AN: What made you decide to organize your own BMX team, and how did you choose to race for a cause?
DH: Annie, you have always been a good friend of mine, and I knew that you started American Soldier Network. When my family lived in California, I would help with the charity at the local country bars to help raise money. When my son and I started the team, it was a no-brainer, really. I asked if Tucker and I could represent American Soldier Network on the BMX track to help get the name seen all over since we would be racing all over the state of Texas, but also in other states too.
At first, I never imagined the team would be as big as it is today. It started when a father and son, who were going to our track, asked me, “How can we be a part of this, the team?” The father was in the Army, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. From there, the team grew. We now have almost 50 riders (consisting of veterans, active-duty military, retired military and first responders and their families). The team is located in Texas, Michigan, Colorado, Georgia and Utah.
AN: Is running the team anything like the camaraderie of the military?
DH: Absolutely. The pledge we have all the riders sign basically says that we set the example for everyone else. We strive for good sportsmanship, helping others and helping our local tracks. We don’t just consider ourselves a team but a family! We really help each other out and encourage all of the riders when they’re racing. Everyone really looks out for each other.
AN: How do you think participating in a program like this helps veterans?
DH: I have personally met other BMX riders who do this sport because it helps with their PTS. It’s a way to help them stay active and gives them something to strive for. I have had people on the team, before they joined, say that they saw the camaraderie in our team, which is what they missed from the military because, to be honest, I really don’t think you can find that camaraderie anywhere else.
AN: How many dads and their kids do you have on the team?
DH: Most of the team is made up of kids, but there are a few dads who race with their kids.
AN: Do you have any mothers racing?
DH: Yes! Not many, but it’s great when the whole family is racing. There are really not a lot of girls in this sport, especially moms. So, it’s great to see them out there racing with their kids.
AN: How can folks start their own ASN BMX program?
DH: So, if anyone wants to start an ASN BMX team in their state, they really have to go through me. The first thing I always ask is for that person to go to the American Soldier Network website and decide if they would even be interested in representing the charity. Then, as time goes on, I establish a relationship with that person. My biggest thing is that I cannot have any negativity involving ASN, which makes it hard when teams are starting in other states.
Once I know the character of that person and develop trust, then that person becomes my team lead in that state. Every new rider/family that wants to come on is vetted. Like I said, every rider must go to the ASN website to see if they want to represent this great charity. I will usually speak with the new family/rider and ask them why they want to be a part of this team. Most of the time, they believe in the charity and see how the team seems to be more of a family at racing events. They are all sitting together, helping each other out and encouraging each rider.
For more information about American Soldier Network, visit americansoldiernetwork.org.
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