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It's been a long walk
jbulger@journalnet.com
POCATELLO -- A Pocatello man is scheduled to conclude his walk across the United States in less than two weeks, honoring service members who have been killed in Iraq. Damion Maynard, known as the "Patriot Walker," is walking a mile for every U.S. service member's death. Maynard believes he will reach his final destination of Washington, D.C., on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Maynard began his walk on Dec. 17, 2006, starting at the steps of the Nevada State Capitol building in Carson City. Dressed in military fatigues and holstering an American flag behind him, Maynard has nearly completed his journey and hopes to end his trek on the lawn of the White House.
"I set out on his journey because I wanted to do something special for our fallen troops," Maynard said on his blog on Myspace.com. "I wanted to personally thank each one of them and pay them back." Maynard set out with 50 cents in his pocket, relying on the kindness of others as he has made his journey across America. His wife, Gina, remains here in Pocatello.
Maynard, who has not served in the military, insists his walk is not political, but simply a tribute. As he has walked, the casualties in Iraq have continued to climb. There have been 4,189 deaths of U.S. servicemen and women reported as of Oct. 31, 2008. Maynard has indicated he will walk the additional miles once he returns to Pocatello. Maynard has averaged 15 miles a day, 20 miles on cooler days. His pack, filled with sleeping gear, hygiene articles, maps and other essentials, weighs in at approximately 70 pounds. He has accepted rides when the heat has become too burdensome, but does not count the miles toward his goal.
Veterans groups and soldiers' families along the way have shown their support for Maynard's efforts. As he walked into Randolph, N.Y., in August, he was escorted by 18 National Guardsmen in Jeeps, treated to a pizza lunch in the park and given some medical supplies for foot blisters. After eating and visiting, Maynard hefted his pack and continued alone to his next destination. The Military Affairs Committee of the Greater Pocatello Chamber of Commerce, the POW*MIA Awareness Rally Corp. and the cities of Pocatello and Chubbuck are formulating plans for Maynard's homecoming and are actively soliciting funds to help pay for Maynard's trip home.
A challenge has been raised by the POW*MIA Awareness Association to donate $100 to Maynard's travel fund. Donations may be sent to Patriot Walker Fund c/o POW*MIA Awareness Association P.O. Box 2655 Pocatello, ID 83206. By John Bulger
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