Seven military veterans will pause from their Appalachian Trail hike to rest and meet the public in a special event at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Noble View Outdoor Center and Russell VFW on July 22.
Noble View and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6645 are offering the veterans participating in the Warrior Hike "Walk Off the War" program, including one from Orange, a meal, showers and a rest in a real bed, 19 weeks into their six-month hike from Georgia to Maine.
The public will have an opportunity to meet the hikers during the event on July 22.
The Warrior Hike "Walk Off the War" program, which includes simultaneous hikes along the Continental Divide and Pacific Crest trails, was inspired by veteran Earl Shaffer, who in 1948 told a friend he was going to "walk off the war" to help him recover from the sights, sounds and losses of World War II. Shaffer became the first person to walk the entire length of the Appalachian Trail.
The program today serves as an outdoor therapy program that supports combat veterans transitioning from their military service into civilian life. Participants spend six months hiking the 2.185-mile Appalachian Trail.
Gary Forish, Appalachian Mountain Club Noble View volunteer registrar, who is a Vietnam veteran, said the hike is therapeutic for the hikers, and the veterans they meet on their route.
“This is one way to walk off an experience, and share with other combat veterans on the trail with them,” Forish said. “It helps integrate them back into society.”
Laura Stinnette, chair of the Education Committee at Noble View, said she was inspired to bring the veteran hikers to Noble View after seeing them speak in Maine, after that group finished hiking the Appalachian Trail.
“I was just so touched by their stories,” she said. “Many in the audience were brought to tears with the hopefulness, and the things they said about feeling better about life. (They weren’t) forgetting about the war but (they were) more equipped to handle what they had to do.”
Organizers expect many veterans will come out to Noble View to hear the soldiers speak. Not all the veterans may be willing to talk about their experiences.
Stinnette said she believes hearing from the veterans will affect the people who come to listen to them.
“I hope they think about how they can lend support, whether it’s helping with employment, or supporting the ‘warrior hikers’ that keep coming through that organization,” she said. “We want to support the organization so they can continue to help these guys. They’ve given a lot to our country.”
Forish said he wants to make sure the veterans know they are appreciated.
“In the case of Vietnam veterans, we weren’t honored at all; we were more or less looked down upon,” he said. “I think it’s very important that we honor the veterans and support them as much as we can.”
After the hikers have a relaxing dinner and clean up at Noble View, the public is invited to the recognition event at the VFW beginning at 7:30 p.m. at 384 Huntington Road, Route 20.
For more information about Warrior Hike, go online to www.warriorhike.com.