Help Complete "Rusty Dogs of War" Feature Documentary Film

Help Us Film "Rusty Dogs of War"

A feature documentary about disabled veterans and challenged athletes, a path to healing, and the world’s toughest race.

Hi, we’re Nancy Saade and John Sammon — documentary filmmakers drawn to stories of resilience and hope.

We’re raising funds for the production of Rusty Dogs of War — a powerful feature documentary following a team of disabled American veterans and challenged athletes as they race 3,000 miles across the country in the world’s toughest cycling event: the Race Across America (RAAM).

The Story:

These disabled men and women have faced debilitating pain, war, trauma, addiction, and despair. Each has hit rock bottom. Some were told they’d never walk again. Others battled blindness, crippling injuries, and the crushing weight of PTSD.

But each of them found a way back — through ultra-cycling, through community, and through a stubborn refusal to give up. As the Rusty Dogs of War, they ride together to show others — especially fellow veterans — that healing is possible. Not through bottles or pills, but through purpose, grit, and the long road ahead.

Competing as the only "uniquely abled" relay team in a field of elite, able-bodied cyclists, they’ll attempt to cross the continent in under nine days — pushing body, mind, and spirit to the absolute limit.

But this is more than a race film.

It’s a story of second chances. Of suffering and perseverance. Of brotherhood, recovery, and hard-won redemption.

Our Approach:

Our cameras will follow the Rusty Dogs through the punishing miles of RAAM — but also beyond the racecourse. Into their homes. Into their pasts. Into quiet moments of reflection and raw, hard-fought recovery.

The race becomes a living metaphor — a crucible where old wounds are confronted and new purpose is forged. Through this journey, the Rusty Dogs are not just racing across a continent — they are reclaiming their lives.

To keep expenses low, we're renting an RV and driving from the East Coast to the West Coast, capturing backstories along the way. We'll then cover the race as we make our journey back home. In total, we'll be driving approximately 6,300 miles to film this documentary!

Where the Funds Will Go:

We’ve already secured $75,000 in sponsorship funding to launch the project — but we need $35,000 more to complete production. Your donation will directly fund:

Every contribution gets us one mile closer to telling this story in the way it deserves to be told.

Meet the Rusty Dogs:

Caleb Cline

A West Point graduate and former U.S. Army Infantry Officer, Caleb Cline served with honor for over nine years, leading troops and preparing for combat deployments. But during that time, a series of high-impact Stryker vehicle incidents left him with severe spinal injuries, ending his military career and sending him into a dark spiral of chronic pain, depression, and identity loss. Stripped of purpose and physically and mentally broken, everything changed when he discovered a recumbent trike through the Wounded Warrior Project. What began as rehab became ritual. In pain, he found power. Caleb founded the Rusty Dogs of War to prove that you don’t have to be whole to lead—and that sometimes the most broken among us are the ones most worth following.

Caleb Sprayberry

Once a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne, Sprayberry’s life was nearly ended when a jump went wrong—shattering his body and sending him into years of alcoholism, drug abuse, and self-destruction. But he fought his way out, found sobriety, and discovered a new identity on the bike. Today, he’s one of the most prolific ultra-endurance athletes in the sport—six years sober and still climbing. His friendship with Cline is foundational to the team’s spirit.

Ed Abdela

A decorated Army Airborne Ranger, Ed served in Grenada, the Gulf War, and Iraq, witnessing some of the most brutal realities of combat. The injuries he carries aren’t only physical—they’re moral, emotional, and deeply spiritual. Now a high school teacher in Mississippi, Ed rides to honor the fallen. Every mile is for a brother lost, a name on a bracelet, a story that still haunts him.

Greg Quarles

An elite Army Ranger and Sergeant First Class, Greg survived a devastating explosion in 2012—shot in the head, neck broken, body shattered. His recovery spanned years and nearly broke him. But through adaptive sports, Greg discovered cycling. He started on a trike, then pushed into upright racing.

Wendy Larsen

Wendy is a force of nature in a handcycle. A cancer survivor living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, spinal injuries, and immune system complications, she battles pain daily—but rides with fierce defiance. Though wheelchair-bound, Wendy crushes mountain descents and proves that limits are meant to be challenged. Her grit and humor are central to the Rusty Dogs’ bond and spirit.

Marc Woodard

Marc lost his vision at age 10 when a friend accidentally shot him in the head. The trauma could have ended his story—but instead, it shaped a warrior. Through tandem cycling, Marc found not just movement, but freedom. As Brian Milton’s riding partner, Marc brings intuitive strength, courage, and an unwavering will to show the world what blind athletes are capable of.

Brian Milton

Brian is a 30-year Marine Corps Sergeant Major and cancer survivor. He has built a life around discipline, duty, and putting others first. Through cycling, Brian has begun confronting the truth he often avoids: that even the strongest need space to heal.

Steve Carter

Steve is a retired USAF Tech Sergeant with 20 years of service and multiple deployments, Steve has spent years battling anxiety and the toll of Crohn’s-adjacent illness. Steve channels his quiet resolve into every climb, proving that it’s never too late to choose a new mission.

About the Filmmakers

We’re John and Nancy Sammon, a husband-and-wife filmmaking team, each with over 20 years of experience creating diverse, thought-provoking documentaries around the world. Our work -including films produced for National Geographic- covers a wide range of subjects, but at the heart of it all is our passion for powerful storytelling. Drawn to The Rusty Dogs of War and their inspiring mission of hope, healing, and rebirth, we knew this was a story we were meant to help share. This project is a true labor of love, and we’re fully committed to helping bring its message to as many people as possible.

Why It Matters

Rusty Dogs of War is a tribute to those who’ve been through hell — and found their way back. It’s for every veteran, every survivor, and everyone who’s ever needed a reason to keep going.

Your support will help us make sure this story is told with the power and dignity it deserves.

Please consider donating — and sharing the campaign with others.

Together, we can help light the way back for those still fighting.