Lieutenant Colonel Thomas P. Dolan (retired), United States Marine Corp is one week ahead of schedule. Lt. Col. Dolan started his cross-country, solo bike journey in Key West, Fla. and is currently in Nebraska heading towards his final destination of Seattle, Wash.

Son of Kathleen Dolan (and the late Tom Dolan) of Tryon, Thomas set out on his journey upon retirement from the USMC.

An avid cyclist, he has competed in multiple Iron Man competitions including IM New Zealand. He started his cycling training during his final assignment with the Marines while on staff at SOCAF (Special Operations Command-Africa) at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla.

Thomas started his military career in 1987 joining the ROTC Unit at Iowa State University. Upon graduation, he attended flight school and became a COBRA helicopter pilot for the Marines.

He has been through many deployments, most recently three in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. He has served as Squadron Commander for HMLA-169 Viper Squadron and attended the War College in Quantico, Va. before his final assignment with SOCAF.

While in flight school, he met his wife, Lisa Heidrich-Dolan, (retired) United States Navy. Commander Heidrich-Dolan has also been deployed during her career as a pilot with the US Navy. After her final deployment to Iraq, Lisa retired and is enjoying her time with their three daughters, Audrey (10), Ainsley (6) and Ameilia (4).