VetWalking Week 26

Walk Across America

Week twenty seven will bring us into California. We walked 117 miles this week. The states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona are behind us. We have walked through 4 time zone, 7 states, hundreds of towns, met 1000′s of people along the way and walked 2,327 miles. Week twenty seven  will bring us less than 200 mile away from San Diego and continuing to raise the level of awareness and of the challenges faced by Disabled Veterans.

Day 176
 
Up early and refreshed from our time off from walking. Less than 30 days left and maybe we will go to Disneyland. Smile!! The anticipation is building for our arrival in San Diego. It’s been a long walk but every step was worth it. When we arrive in San Diego we will be proud of what we accomplished, but the mission can never end until every Disabled Veteran receives honorable care without red tape and as a Nation come together as a team to help them improve their lives. By teaming together with The Walk Across America we can make a difference and help these men and woman have a bigger, better and brighter future. The Walk Across America would like to invite every family to join our walk without walking 2700 miles. To join our walk all you need is one stamped envelope containing your families one dollar donation addressed to
 
Disabled American Veterans
attn. gift processing- 28127
P.O.Box14301
Cincinnati, Oh. 45250
 
then walk out to your mailbox and mail it. Then pass it on to family and friends and keep passing it on. By making this minimal donation we can make a difference.

Day 177
 
A little cool as we started walking this morning. It won’t stay cool though. High 90`s is in the forecast. Most of us won’t even go out of the house when it gets that hot. Just imagine if each of us had to endure the heat and conditions our soldiers are facing as they fight for our freedom. They won’t complain because they believe in keeping our nation free. Even though we all can’t be there along side them, we can be there in spirit. By showing our support for them makes their job a little easier. As a nation we can never do enough to thank them for keeping us safe. It takes them working as a team and all of America working as a team to support Disabled Veterans. One way we can show support is to fly Old Glory each and every day our brave men and women. When they return we should line the streets to just say thanks for a job well done. The heroes that don’t return, we must assure them they will never be forgotten. For the ones that return injured physically or mentally we must provide them the things that will help them improve their lives so they can have a brighter future. Donate to the Disabled American Veterans. Its all good.

Day 178
 
Up and walking early as we spend another day spreading awareness for Disabled Veterans. Walking thru Wenden and Salome, Az. today. Lots of people would stop today thanking us for what we are doing. This gives us motivation to keep going. Our soldiers get motivation from us showing support for them. Showing them we care is a valuable tool in keeping their spirits up. Walked 12 miles before taking a break at the International Inn where we stayed last night. We volunteered Vince to help the Manager Jose Leyva do some work around the Inn in return for a free room tonight and tomorrow. Jose’s wife Alma had food prepared as I got there for a break. Thanks so much and it hit the spot. After starting back walking and getting into Salome many people came out of their business’s to see what we are walking for. Its starting to get pretty warm as our walk was ending. Made it to the pace car and headed back to the motel. We stopped and bought some pork chops to cook for supper. Cleaned up after getting to the room. We relaxed some before cooking supper and pigging out. Laid around and watched T.V. before crashing out. What will tomorrow bring? Its all good.

Day 179
 
Going to get hot today, so we are up early walking. Headed towards Interstate 10. Walking thru Hope, Pioneer and Brenda, AZ. Not only is it hot but the flies in this area are aggravating. Never seen so many flies. Be glad to get out of this area. Stopped in Hope to eat breakfast. We met a couple and they offered to pay for our meal. Thanks a million for your kindness and encouragement. Took some pictures with them for the blog. Before getting started back walking a 6 yr. old named Owen came over with a donation. He was with his mom and was wearing a superman shirt. He was a little shy but we got him in a picture handing me their donation. The owners of the cafe, son just returned from his deployment. Started back walking and the flies continued to get worse. A marine named Doug Heard stopped to thank us. It was 99 degrees at one o’clock when he stopped. Made it up to the Interstate and that was a little farther than today’s walk called for. At least we had a little breeze or it would have been unbearable. Stopped and picked up some food to cook for supper. Made hamburger steaks, mashed potatoes and green beans. After the sun started going down we sat outside and talked about our walk with other hotel guest. Getting close to San Diego and we are getting pumped. Our flag is starting to get a little character. The top corner is starting to fray. I’ve thought about what to do with the flag when we are done. Today I made that decision. I’ve decided to give it to our  man behind the scene. Even though he couldn’t physically walk with us, he was always there taking care of the awesome website he developed for our cause. His faith in me making the walk was a lot of motivation and no one could have a better friend. Thanks Jack Dixon for everything. Well its time to crash and  I’ll see you soon Jack. Its all so good.

Day 180
 
Up early walking on I-10 for a few miles today. After walking a few miles and getting to the pace car I noticed a tire problem. At least we are on a exit but there’s nothing there. Finally a Marine stopped and gave us a hand. Thanks Sir. Oh well stuff happens. Decided to head back to the room. We’ll make the miles up tomorrow. Glad we walked extra yesterday. Not suppose to walk on the interstate but we got an okay but not on the pavement. There’s a lot of roads off the interstate but at points we have to get out on I-10 the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway. After getting back to the room I started washing the pace car. It was really getting dirty and we want to have it clean when we get into California. Jose’s wife cooked us supper. Thanks and it was awesome. Talked with Jose for awhile and we exchanged gifts. He gave me a silver Peso and I gave him a DAV coin. Well its time to crash so we can get up early to start walking to help make up some miles. We have 5 days to play with before we get to San Diego. Its all good.

Day 181
 
Started walking just as daylight came. Walking along I-10 till we get to Quartzsite, AZ. Another beautiful day walking across America. After getting off the interstate we met Marsha McFadden who was on an electric wheelchair. Stopped to talk to her and get a picture. What an awesome sweet lady. She was headed to mail a letter but we did it for her. As we got into Quartzsite we were asked to stop by VFW Post 769. Once we got there we were fed and invited back for supper after our walk. A lot of vets signed the car before we continued our walk. They arranged for us a room at the Yacht Club Motel. They even started a collection jug for our cause. Had to get back walking so we said good bye and would see them later for supper. Took the Cap Rock service road along the I-10. Finished our walk a few miles from the Colorado River. We will walk into California in the morning. Went and checked into the room and cleaned up. Went to eat at VFW Post 769. They served us steak and potatoes. The food was great and we got stuffed. After eating we were interviewed by a reporter for the Quartzsite Press newspaper. More press for the Disabled Vets. Thanks so much. Hung around and talked to the members before heading back to the room. The Post asked us to come for breakfast before starting our walk tomorrow. They wanted us there by 5 am. We will have to get up at 4:30 am. Off to sleep looking forward to leaving Arizona behind and walking into California tomorrow. Its all good. Thanks Post 769 you all rock!!

Day 182

Up at 4:30 ready to head over to VFW Post 769 to eat breakfast. They wanted to make sure we ate before walking today. Our last meal in Arizona. Its so cool that they are doing this for us so early this morning. We are honored and humbled. When we arrived at the Post they were there waiting for us. We started with coffee as they prepared a first class meal. It was one of the best post that we visited so far. The vets here really let us know how much they appreciated what we were trying to get accomplished with our walk across America. After breakfast we thanked them for there gratitude and kindness then we headed out to start our walk out of Arizona and into California. A little chilly as we started walking. It was nice to finally arrive at the Colorado River. Tagged the walkway and headed across the bridge. Halfway across we crossed into California our final state. Been looking forward to this for 181 days. After today we only have 20 days and about 220 miles. The next town we reach is Blythe, Ca. As we were walking into Blythe we received a call from the VFW Post 2987. They told us to stop in and let them know how they can help us while we are walking thru. A lot of people stopped and chatted as we were walking into the city limits. Once we arrived at the post we met Patricia Howard the commander of the post. Actually she is the first woman commander I have met on our walk. They all came out to sign the car and then gave us a c-note for a room and meal for tonight. After leaving the post we started back walking, heading for Hwy. 78. Right as we were finishing our walk we met Art and Shirley Plemming who invited us to follow them to there house for some chow. We talked while Shirley cooked up some grub. Really enjoyed chatting with them and hearing Art talk about his service to our country in Vietnam. He was a chopper pilot and did a few tours over there. The food was awesome and they invited us to stay with them tomorrow after our walk. Headed back to Blythe and checked into the motel. Thanks Post 2987. Cleaned up and worked on the blog. Went and got some Chinese food for supper. Finally finished the blog and watched some TV before crashing out. Its all good and thanks for everything Post 2987.

VetPedes, Semper Pedes

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