As a massive heatwave blanketed much of the country in June and July, a 23-year-old man embarked on a cross-country journey from San Francisco to Washington D.C.. What makes his journey unique is that he has decided to walk.
Matt Kerner is walking across the nation to raise awareness about the difficulties veterans face. The Denver native began his journey on June 9th and is planning on walking 20 to 30 miles per day until he reaches his destination sometime in January, 2013.
Though Matt isn’t a veteran, his older brother Justin is, and Matt carries most of his worldly possession in a backpack that sports n American flag and a Marine Corps flag. He says he decided to take his journey after realizing how hard his elder brother had it when he returned home from two combat tours in Iraq.
Justin Kerner, age 30, is a Marine Corps sergeant who Matt says had difficulty re-acclimating to life after combat. Justin says he struggled with post traumatic stress disorder and knew fellow Marines who have committed suicide.
Matt is walking, in part, to raise funds for Active Heroes, a charity that supports veterans through financial assistance, travel assistance, and other services. You can follow Matt’s process via his Facebook page www.facebook.com/10millionpeoplewhosupportourtroops.
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