ARLINGTON, Va. – It was a test of sheer will. A Virginia man walked from Richmond to Arlington National Cemetery this weekend to聽honor and thank the military.
Victor Wise from Staunton, Virginia started his 100 mile journey on Friday morning at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond. Sunday morning, just under 48聽 hours later, he reached his destination. 鈥淧ride. Joy. Humbled.聽 I mean, look out here. All these American flags, shouts of encouragement鈥� It was a humbling experience,鈥� he says.
Wise traveled up Route 1 carrying a 50 pound ruck. Co-workers, friends and strangers joined him along the way, including his yellow lab Kona. 鈥淚鈥檓 going to have to cut my shoes off my feet, to be honest with you. They鈥檙e in rough shape. I feel like I鈥檓 walking around on bricks right now. I鈥檓 looking forward to a long bath. I got about 6 hours of sleep Thursday night and haven鈥檛 been to bed since,鈥� he says.
With tears in his eyes, he dedicated the effort to the troops. 聽鈥�(It鈥檚 a) sense of pride in America. I just think that sometimes we forget the blessings we have and the people that give them to us and the families that sacrifice so much. They need to know that we appreciate them.鈥�
Military service runs in his family, including his father, a former National Guard First Sergeant, who served in Iraq and Cuba.
He started the 聽challenge last year and this year he raised nearly $5,000 for the Navy Seal Foundation. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not really about the money, to be honest with you. The money obviously helps to take care of the soldiers who sacrifice so much. That鈥檚 a great part of it but the main concern, for me, is to say 鈥榯hank you,鈥欌�� he says. 鈥淲hen you see them at the bar, buy them a beer. Or if you see them out at lunch, buy them lunch. Even if you see them at the airport, go up to them and thank them.鈥�
He鈥檚 already thinking to next year, the third annual Freedom Ruck. 鈥淎fter this year, heck, why not?鈥�
To donate to the Freedom Ruck and the Navy Seal Foundation,.
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