Walking the walk for ‘invisible wounds’ of veterans
Stop at Alamo part of 1,000-mile trek to raise awareness
SAN ANTONIO — An intrepid group of veterans made a special stop at the Alamo on Saturday, part of their 1,000-mile walk across America, a 12-week trek designed to raise awareness of — and funds for — the mental health needs of vets.
The Walking With the Wounded Walk of America, which began in early June in Los Angeles and will end at Ground Zero in New York in September, is made up of six vets — half from the U.S., half from the United Kingdom — all of whom have borne the “invisible wounds” of war, such as traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.
By the time the group reached the iconic site on Saturday, it had racked up more than 200 miles in the overall tally. They were met by supporters from the local Wounded Warrior project and other well-wishers, including tourists who took time out to shake their hands and thank them for their service.
“I love San Antonio; it’s such a patriotic city,” said Marine Corps Sgt. Larry Hinkle, the lone Texan in the group. He hails from Gunter, a small town north of Dallas.
Hinkle, who served from 2000 to 2004 and was part of initial ground invasion of Iraq, said the goal of the walk was to make people — especially vets — aware there is help for those suffering from PTSD, anxiety, depression and the other lingering effects of combat.
“More than anything, we want to make folks understand that invisible wounds are real things,” he said. “And that life doesn’t have to be dark and gloomy. You can get through it, you just need to lean on your brothers and sisters.
“(Vets) can be prideful, sometimes to a fault.”
Hinkle, who lost comrades in combat as well as to suicide after their deployments, said a turning point for him was seeing all the love and support for vets on Facebook.
“One key is to surround yourself with supportive people,” he said. “And now here I am, walking 1,000 miles with these crazy Brits. They’re wonderful people, and we’re great allies from two different continents. We served together, so we should heal together.”
The walk, which is co-sponsored by Jill Biden and Prince Harry, will split all donations between veterans’ charities in the two countries. The walk doesn’t comprise a continuous route but rather individual walks in certain cities and locations — key military sites, national landmarks and the like.
In between the walks, the vets fly to the different destinations while the 10-12 person support team — crucial in providing allimportant water — drives in a caravan.
On Friday, the group had begun the Texas leg of the walk at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, where they visited the grave of Chris Kyle, of “American Sniper” fame. In San Antonio, the walk began at 7 a.m. at Mission San Juan Capistrano.
As the group makes its way down roads and byways, people honk their horns, sometimes stop to shake hands and give donations, Hinkle said.
Other stops in Texas will include the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and the Fallen Warriors Memorial in Houston.
Donations can be made at WalkOfAmerica.com.