Daughter of MacDill chaplain makes harrowing journey

  • Published
  • By Nick Stubbs
  • Thunderbolt editor
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Most people pedal a bike for fun and recreation, but it was the very serious business of combating the sex slave trade that motivated the daughter of one of MacDill's own to make a harrowing, cross-country winter bike journey.

Janna Buttrick, college student and daughter of Chaplain (Maj.) David Buttrick, 6th Air Mobility Wing, arrived at MacDill Last week after leaving Lincoln Neb., the week before Christmas. The journey, dubbed "Janna's Fighting the Traffic Tour," was to raise funds and increase awareness of Tiny Hands International, a non-profit organization, and its work to saving young girls from being forced into sex slavery. Her goal was to raise $2,300, enough money to help save 100 girls from becoming sex slaves.

The final tally isn't complete, but two weeks into the trip, $1,500 had been raised, and it's hoped that when all the figures are compiled, the goal will have been achieved. It was money earned the hard way.

"It was definitely challenging," said Ms. Buttrick of the trip, which took place over the historically harsh holiday winter that impacted the route she followed. "It was crazy weather, with snow, ice, rain, wind, tornadoes and cold, but it was amazing, and there were beautiful days mixed in."

The weather at times was brutal, she said, her muscles straining to push her 120-pound, fully loaded bike through as much as eight inches of snow on bike trails. The nights were equally daunting, with she and her travel partner camping out.

The weather and heavier than expected ride kept her from making it to MacDill, her chosen destination, by the new year, but she pushed on, each day chronicled on her Web blog, jannasadventure.blogspot.com.

"I'm very proud of her," said Chaplain Buttrick. "She works hard and wanted to use her time off to make a difference."

Chaplain Buttrick went on to say that his daughter has always been a giver, and has done missionary work, including in Chad, Africa. She came to appreciate the magnitude of the sex slave trade in Nepal, and could not sit by without getting involved, he said.

Ms. Buttrick left Tampa Tuesday to head back to Lincoln and Union College.

"I'm planning of doing another (bike) tour," said Ms. Buttrick. "There's still more that has to be done to help these girls."