Pa. Hero Walk Benefits Wounded Warriors

By KEITH PARADISE writer ----------------
Published: Jun 19, 2010

Supporting their fellow soldiers: Brian Coutch, Chris Caver, John Konopka, wounded soldiers themselves, participated in the Wounded Warrior Project and Pa. Hero Walk.
Al Pulice was so moved by two events in his life that he decided to get others moving across the state for a charitable cause.

Pulice, of Murrysville in Westmoreland County, founded the Kiski Valley Veterans and Patriots Association after he saw someone doing a kind act for a former soldier. The association raised the funds to build a war memorial in his area.

When he heard Jeremy Feldbusch speak, however, he decided he needed to do more.

Pulice is the founder of the second annual Pa Hero Walk, which made its way from Adams County into Franklin County on Saturday afternoon. Pulice and about 20 other people from around the state walked from Cashtown to Taormina's Pizzeria near Fayetteville where they were joined by an additional 20 walkers from the Chambersburg area. The walk started June 12 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and will cover 342 miles over 14 days and is attempting to raise $100,000 for the Wounded Warrior Program.

It was hearing a speech from wounded warrior Feldbusch in 2007 that planted the idea for the walk.

Feldbusch was an Army Ranger who was guarding a dam on the Euphrates River when a shell exploded nearby and shrapnel struck his face. Feldbusch would end up blinded by the incident and eventually became a spokesman for the Wounded Warriors, which provides programs and services for soldiers who have been injured in combat.

Pulice said he was so moved by Feldbusch's speech three years ago that he decided to organize a walk across the state to raise money and awareness for the injured soldiers organization. He spoke with Veteran of Foreign War and American Legion posts throughout the state to rally support and sponsorships for the walk. He said the walk is fully supported by the state's veteran's clubs, with many of them feeding walkers along the way to raising money for overnight accommodations. VFW Post 1599 in Chambersburg fed the walkers Saturday night when they arrived.

Last year, Pulice estimated he had about 14 people walk with him across the state. This year, the traveling party is 24, not including the 20 Franklin County who walked from Caledonia into town. The walkers are monitored by volunteers in a motorhome in case someone should have a medical issue or, as was the case Saturday, be in need of some shade and a bottle of water.

While talking about last year's walk, Pulice's mind focused on friend and fellow walker Bob Girdano, who was killed last year in an automobile accident a couple of month's after the inaugural walk. Girdano got involved with Pulice's idea after Girdano's son, Michael, was killed in Iraq by an Improvised Explosive Device explosion in August of 2008.

"He walked every step of the way with me. He quite a guy," Pulice said, before tearing up.

Bob's widow, Cindy, is taking the steps across the commonwealth this year in remembrance of her son and now her husband. Girdano didn't join her husband on the walk last year but got involved after her husband's death since a decision had been made by the two of them previously to continue supporting the event.

"We decided when he got back that this is something that we were going to stick with for our soldiers," Girdano said.

Additionally, Girdano's nephew, Adam, plans to walk every step of the state in honor of his uncle and cousin.

Although this year's walk has generated more interest and walkers, Girdano and others would be happy to see even more out on the road next year.

"I honestly wish there were more. More people need to be aware of what's happening over there," Girdano said.

Pulice estimated that the walkers had raised about $61,000 through the first week. The organization solicits donations from businesses and other organizations, sells T-shirts and collects money with canisters along side of the road. Saturday afternoon, a few of the walkers had set up shop at intersections on U.S. 30 in search of donations.

"Yesterday we received two personal checks from people who pulled over for $500," Pulice said.

The walk is sponsored by the Franklin County Military Outreach Program, which was created to support local soldiers that are currently deployed. Director Fred Bucci said last's walk only drew a handful of people and said 22 had pledged to walk this year.

"We have a lot more walkers this year," Bucci said.

He too, would like to see more and said he'd like to see the walk grow to the point where supporters are lining the route in the same way they would for a parade.

Many of those walking the Franklin County portion of the walk were gathered up by area doctor Paul Orange, who saw the walk advertised and sent the information to a couple of dozen people.

"I've always supported the military and anyone that's ever taken part in the military," Orange said.

One of the walkers was Jessica Kriner, who was using the walk to support a good cause along with training for another cause. Kriner said she's participating in a 60 mile walk to benefit cancer research in the fall and said the walk would be a good training ground. As a Marine who served five years ago, however, she said she will continue to walk in the Hero Walk and might even walk more miles next year.

"Being a Marine, if I were wounded I would want someone to walk for me," she said.

Keith Paradise can be reached at kparadise@publicopinionnews.com or 262-4811.

Great cause, CAROL......we need more folks like that!