Transformation With Each Step

By Benjamin VanPelt

This is harder to write then I realized but not for lack of content but out of pure loss of words to accurately give credit to the organization, marchers and volunteers. I wanted to march so bad but my time on active duty left me physically unable to complete the once achievable, so I did the next best thing…..volunteer for the “super shift”.

Over the next 40 hours I would see things that not only made me feel like was home back on active duty but also that there is still greatness in humanity. Watching people transform with every step. Seeing the unimaginable be obtained by those with self doubt. Seeing the signs and symptoms of the emotional and physical journey every marcher traveled. I’ve been at my highest and at my lowest in very similar environments and I can truly say I have felt the pain they experienced physically and the doubt they struggled with emotionally. So thank you for embracing the suck and going through what our military calls just part of the job.

With every step you could watch the bond form and camaraderie develop. At each stop you could see how desperate others wanted to help their fellow man. Logistically there was never a crisis only a task and with every action the 50 mile march evolved. It was its own definition. Every participant marching or volunteering had a job with a common goal and that was do all they could imaginable to stop veterans suicide and do away with veterans homelessness. That is what drove them, to help those who are unable to help themselves. The 50 mile march is an individual effort but community result. This is a tribe and I’m glad to finally call it home.